Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the UK's grassroots music venues.
Fender was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his third album People Watching was declared the best record of the past year.
Fender has decided to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots had in his beginning days.
"I would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
In the last year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.
He also took part, collecting over £100k on his live tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.
These funds helped spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted funding support in modernizing infrastructure and gear that helped artists and audiences.
"The concept that funds from performances in large arenas supports the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.
He is among several artists to contribute his honor funds to charitable organizations.
In they won the trophy in the year 1996 for their album the album, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would donate their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist she shared her bounty among a few charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked better apparatus," she explained to a publication.
Previously, they gave their funds to the local youth club that supported their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
And the 1994 recipients M People donated their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," said artist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected two small stages in that region, by transferring them to local control.
One venue in the city and the second in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by a national body and supporters who buy "stakes" in the venues.
