Sam Fender has given the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to save the Britain's grassroots music venues.
The star was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots had in his beginning days.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16% of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
He also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 local spots across Britain.
The donation helped locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues stemming from floods, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted musicians and fans.
"The idea that funds from shows in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.
He is not the first artist to give his award funds to charitable organizations.
Back when the band won the trophy in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the group would give their winnings to the organization the charity.
In 2002, musician the artist shared her prize among several good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," the artist explained to the media.
In recent years, they gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist the singer. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success touched the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued a couple of local spots in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and the other in Bristol were bought under the community ownership program, which is backed by Arts Council England and supporters who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
