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The star has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the Britain's independent music venues.

The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

He also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds assisted venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.

"The idea that money from concerts in major spaces supports the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.

Fender is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.

When they received the award in the mid-90s for their release their work, vocalist Cocker declared that the group would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her award among several organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," she explained to a publication.

Two years ago, the band gave their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally 1994 winners M People gave their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.

"Winning was ample," remarked vocalist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the cake. So our success affected another person's life."

Recently, the MVT shared it had saved several small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.

One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.