Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which works to save the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
The star was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release People Watching was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
He has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties caused by flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading facilities and gear that positively impacted artists and fans.
"The idea that funds from concerts in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
Fender is among several artists to give his honor funds to worthy causes.
In they received the prize in 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman the singer declared that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer she divided her bounty across several charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she shared with the media.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the community center that supported their band, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was ample," said artist Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched somebody else's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected several local spots in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in that area and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by a national body and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
