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The artist has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the UK's independent live music spots.

He was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his latest record his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.

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

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 small stages across Britain.

The donation supported locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that helped performers and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from performances in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.

The musician is not the first artist to donate his honor prize money to good deeds.

In the band earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their record their work, frontman the singer announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her award among multiple good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," she shared with outlets.

Previously, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the community center that supported their band, as well as other local music groups.

And winners that year the group gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was quite enough," said singer Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our success impacted another person's life."

Last week, the MVT announced it had rescued a couple of local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.

One venue in the city and the other in the city were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the properties.