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Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 award cash to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.

Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his latest record his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

He has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role small stages played in his early career.

"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, top acts such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.

These funds helped spaces that were confronting possible closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations obtained funding support in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.

"The idea that revenue from concerts in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

He is not the first artist to contribute his honor prize money to good deeds.

In the band won the prize in 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the group would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.

In 2002, musician the artist shared her bounty between several charities, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with the media.

Two years ago, the band contributed their funds to the local youth club that developed their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

And the 1994 recipients M People contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.

"The victory was quite enough," remarked vocalist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success affected another person's life."

In the past week, the MVT shared it had saved a couple of small stages in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the venues.