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Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k honor winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.

Fender was given the prize on mid-October as his new release the album was named the top album of the previous year.

He has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues caused by flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," the star has stated.

The musician is among several artists to donate his award prize money to worthy causes.

When the band won the prize in 1996 for their release their work, frontman the singer announced that the act would contribute their cash to the non-profit the charity.

That year, rapper and singer the artist shared her prize among a few charities, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," she told outlets.

Previously, they gave their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally 1994 winners they donated their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Winning was quite enough," stated vocalist the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory affected the lives of others."

Recently, the trust announced it had protected several small stages in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.

The first in the city and the other in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and supporters who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.