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The star has donated the full amount of his £25k award prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the UK's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was presented with the prize on 16 October as his new release the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.

"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports smaller concert halls.

Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across the UK.

The money supported venues that were facing imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained funding support in improving infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from concerts in large arenas helps the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

He is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.

In Pulp won the award in the mid-90s for their album the album, vocalist the singer announced that the band would give their prize money to the organization War Child.

During 2002, artist the artist divided her prize across a few organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite told a publication.

Previously, they gave their winnings to the community center that developed their group, alongside other independent music bodies.

Also winners that year they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory touched somebody else's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved several small stages in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and the other in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the properties.