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The artist has handed over the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which operates to preserve the Britain's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was given the prize on 16 October as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues had in his early career.

"As an artist would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which supports local stages.

Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across Britain.

The donation helped spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to issues stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Some locations received funding support in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.

"The notion that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.

The musician is among several artists to donate his award funds to worthy causes.

Back when Pulp received the award in 1996 for their album their work, frontman the singer declared that the band would donate their winnings to the non-profit the charity.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize among a few organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also donated a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their band, as well as other independent music bodies.

Additionally winners that year M People contributed their prize to a MS organization after a close contact was identified with the disease.

"Winning was quite enough," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."

In the past week, the trust revealed it had saved several small stages in the South East, by transferring them to local control.

One venue in the city and the second in that location were acquired under the community ownership program, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.