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Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to save the UK's grassroots music venues.

Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his third album his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his early career.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

Recently, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation supported spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from floods, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations received financial assistance in modernizing amenities and gear that helped artists and concertgoers.

"The notion that money from shows in big venues supports the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.

He is far from the only musician to donate his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

Back when the band earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the group would give their prize money to the charity War Child.

In 2002, musician she divided her prize between several organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist explained to outlets.

Previously, they contributed their winnings to the youth organization that supported their band, as well as other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients M People contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.

"The victory was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

Recently, the trust revealed it had protected a couple of small stages in that region, by placing them under local control.

The Joiners in Southampton and the other in that location were purchased under the community ownership program, which is supported by the arts council and supporters who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.