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The artist has given the full amount of his £25k award prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to save the UK's independent concert spaces.

Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his new release People Watching was chosen as the best record of the previous year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, top acts such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to challenges caused by flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The concept that money from shows in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.

He is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.

Back when they earned the award in the year 1996 for their release the album, lead singer Cocker stated that the band would give their cash to the organization War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her award across several charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite explained to a publication.

Previously, they contributed their winnings to the youth organization that supported their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

Also 1994 winners they donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"Receiving the award was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning touched somebody else's life."

Recently, the MVT announced it had rescued a couple of small stages in the South East, by bringing them into community ownership.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the buildings.