Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.
Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was declared the top album of the previous year.
He has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages had in his early career.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to help 38 local spots across the UK.
The donation assisted spaces that were confronting possible closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues received monetary aid in modernizing amenities and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.
"The idea that revenue from shows in large arenas supports the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
The musician is among several artists to donate his award winnings to worthy causes.
In the band received the trophy in 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would give their prize money to the charity War Child.
During 2002, artist she shared her bounty across several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to a publication.
In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the local youth club that developed their act, as well as other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the disease.
"The victory was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory touched somebody else's life."
Last week, the trust announced it had rescued two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under local control.
The Joiners in that area and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
