Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25k honor prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.
He was given the cheque on 16 October as his new release the album was named the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and gear that helped artists and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in major spaces backs the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.
He is among several artists to donate his award prize money to worthy causes.
In the band received the award in 1996 for their album the album, lead singer the singer announced that the act would give their prize money to the organization the charity.
That year, artist she shared her prize among several good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Two years ago, they contributed their prize money to the youth organization that developed their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
And winners that year M People contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the condition.
"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning touched somebody else's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and the other in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "shares" in the properties.
