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Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 award winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.

Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his third album the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages played in his early career.

"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

Sam Fender also took part, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to help thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.

Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.

"The concept that revenue from performances in major spaces backs the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.

In they received the trophy in 1996 for their record their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would donate their cash to the charity the charity.

In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her award among multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," she shared with a publication.

In recent years, they donated their winnings to the local youth club that developed their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally 1994 winners they gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," said artist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted somebody else's life."

Recently, the MVT announced it had saved two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under local control.

One venue in the city and the second in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by a national body and music fans who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.