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The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25k award cash to the trust for venues, which works to protect the UK's small music venues.

The star was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

Fender has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function small stages had in his beginning days.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

He also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight small stages across Britain.

The money assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations obtained monetary aid in improving facilities and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.

"The idea that revenue from performances in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.

The musician is not the first artist to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

When Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their release Different Class, lead singer the singer announced that the act would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.

During 2002, artist the artist divided her prize between several good causes, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with outlets.

In recent years, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the youth organization that developed their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally winners that year the group gave their prize to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the disease.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," said vocalist Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched somebody else's life."

Last week, the MVT announced it had saved two grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "stakes" in the properties.