Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which functions to preserve the UK's small live music spots.
The star was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which supports local stages.
Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.
The donation supported locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading amenities and gear that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the prize in the year 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would donate their winnings to the charity War Child.
During 2002, musician she split her award between a few charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite told the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the community center that supported their group, in addition to other local music groups.
And the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was sufficient," stated artist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted somebody else's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected several local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.
The first in that area and The Croft in the city were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who acquire "shares" in the venues.
