Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
The star was presented with the award on October 16 as his third album People Watching was named the top album of the past year.
The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots had in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits local stages.
He also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds supported venues that were confronting imminent closure due to challenges caused by floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in modernizing facilities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from shows in large arenas supports the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
He is among several artists to contribute his honor winnings to worthy causes.
Back when they received the prize in 1996 for their release the album, frontman the singer stated that the group would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
That year, rapper and singer she divided her bounty across a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked better apparatus," the artist shared with the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the youth organization that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.
Also winners that year they contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked artist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in the city and the other in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by a national body and supporters who purchase "shares" in the properties.
