Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was given the award on mid-October as his latest record his work was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his beginning days.
"I would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also took part, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
The money helped spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges caused by floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations received monetary aid in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.
The musician is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to charitable organizations.
When Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer the singer stated that the band would give their cash to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer the artist split her award between multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," the artist told outlets.
Previously, the band donated their winnings to the community center that supported their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally winners that year they donated their award to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"The victory was ample," stated artist the singer. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory touched somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT announced it had rescued several grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in the city were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.
