Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to save the United Kingdom's grassroots concert spaces.
The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the top album of the past year.
The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages played in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his live tour to support thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
The donation supported venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and gear that helped artists and audiences.
"The idea that funds from performances in major spaces backs the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has said.
The musician is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when the band won the award in the mid-90s for their release the album, lead singer the singer declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty across a few good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to a publication.
Previously, they donated their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning touched somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had saved several small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in the city and The Croft in that location were bought under the public acquisition scheme, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
