Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
He was given the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the top album of the past year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages had in his beginning days.
"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.
He also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across Britain.
These funds assisted venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues received financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped musicians and fans.
"The concept that money from shows in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has said.
He is far from the only musician to give his award funds to good deeds.
Back when Pulp earned the award in the mid-90s for their release their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would donate their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, artist the artist divided her award among multiple charities, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," she shared with a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the youth organization that supported their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
And 1994 winners the group gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was quite enough," remarked artist Small. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
The first in that area and the second in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is funded by a national body and supporters who buy "shares" in the venues.