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Sam Fender has given the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the UK's independent music venues.

Fender was given the prize on 16 October as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by including a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.

Fender also took part, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted venues that were facing imminent closure due to issues stemming from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Some locations were granted funding support in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.

"The concept that funds from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has commented.

Fender is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.

In they earned the award in the year 1996 for their release the album, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.

During 2002, artist the artist split her prize among several charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite told the media.

In recent years, they contributed their funds to the community center that nurtured their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Also winners that year they donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the illness.

"Winning was ample," said singer Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted another person's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.

The first in Southampton and the second in the city were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "shares" in the venues.