Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25,000 honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
Fender was given the award on 16 October as his new release his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.
In the last year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist numerous small stages across Britain.
The money assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties arising from flooding, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted funding support in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues helps the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp earned the prize in the year 1996 for their record the album, frontman the singer declared that the act would donate their prize money to the charity War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her award between several good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite told the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners M People contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"The victory was ample," remarked vocalist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had rescued two small stages in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The Joiners in that area and the second in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the properties.
