Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.
The star was awarded the award on October 16 as his third album People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the performances I played around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight small stages across the UK.
The money assisted spaces that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties caused by flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues obtained funding support in upgrading amenities and gear that helped artists and fans.
"The concept that money from performances in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has stated.
He is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.
When they received the award in 1996 for their release Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would donate their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, artist Ms Dynamite shared her award between several organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required better apparatus," she explained to the media.
Previously, the band donated their prize money to the local youth club that supported their act, alongside other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our success impacted somebody else's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by placing them under local control.
The first in the city and the second in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
