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The artist has handed over the full amount of his £25k honor winnings to the MVT, which works to save the UK's independent live music spots.

He was given the prize on October 16 as his third album the album was named the best record of the past year.

Fender has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages played in his early career.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation supported locations that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The notion that revenue from shows in major spaces backs the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.

He is not the first artist to contribute his honor funds to good deeds.

In the band won the trophy in 1996 for their record Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, artist the artist shared her prize among a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

Two years ago, they gave their funds to the community center that developed their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally the 1994 recipients the group gave their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"Receiving the award was ample," remarked singer Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted another person's life."

Recently, the MVT revealed it had saved two grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into local control.

The first in the city and The Croft in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.