Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the Britain's grassroots music venues.
Fender was presented with the award on mid-October as his latest record his work was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages played in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous grassroots venues across the UK.
These funds assisted venues that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Additional spaces received financial assistance in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and audiences.
"The notion that funds from performances in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor prize money to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp earned the prize in 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer Cocker announced that the group would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician she split her prize across several organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," the artist explained to outlets.
In recent years, they gave their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"Receiving the award was ample," said artist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory affected the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "stakes" in the properties.
