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Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25k honor cash to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the Britain's small music venues.

The star was awarded the prize on October 16 as his latest record his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

In the last year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.

Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 local spots across the UK.

The donation helped spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges arising from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.

Other venues obtained funding support in improving facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The concept that funds from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has said.

The musician is among several artists to donate his award prize money to charitable organizations.

Back when Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker stated that the band would give their prize money to the organization War Child.

That year, rapper and singer she shared her bounty among multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," the artist explained to the media.

Two years ago, they gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their group, alongside other independent music bodies.

Also the 1994 recipients the group donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated singer the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success touched another person's life."

Recently, the MVT revealed it had protected several small stages in south-east England, by placing them under local control.

One venue in the city and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.