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The artist has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the Britain's grassroots music venues.

Fender was presented with the prize on 16 October as his new release People Watching was named the top album of the past year.

He has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages played in his early career.

"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

In the last year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his recent tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported locations that were facing possible closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces were granted funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The notion that funds from performances in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has said.

The musician is among several artists to contribute his honor winnings to good deeds.

When the band earned the prize in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would donate their cash to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, musician she split her award among several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite told outlets.

Two years ago, the band donated their winnings to the community center that developed their group, as well as other local music groups.

Also 1994 winners they contributed their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Winning was ample," said artist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success affected another person's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.

One venue in that area and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by a national body and supporters who buy "ownership units" in the properties.