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The artist has donated the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the Britain's small music venues.

Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the best record of the past year.

The musician has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, major artists such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.

Sam Fender also took part, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 local spots across the UK.

The money assisted locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Additional spaces received funding support in improving facilities and gear that positively impacted artists and fans.

"The notion that money from performances in big venues helps the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.

He is among several artists to contribute his honor winnings to good deeds.

When Pulp won the award in 1996 for their album the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite split her prize between several charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist shared with the media.

Previously, the band contributed their winnings to the community center that supported their group, alongside other local music groups.

Also the 1994 recipients M People contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.

"Winning was quite enough," said artist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."

In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected a couple of grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the venues.