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The star has donated the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.

The star was awarded the award on 16 October as his third album People Watching was chosen as the top album of the previous year.

Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his recent tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money helped venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues stemming from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Other venues received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and gear that positively impacted artists and audiences.

"The idea that funds from shows in big venues supports the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.

Fender is among several artists to give his honor prize money to worthy causes.

Back when they earned the prize in 1996 for their record their work, lead singer the singer stated that the band would donate their prize money to the charity the charity.

That year, artist she shared her award between several charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," she told outlets.

Two years ago, they contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, as well as other local music groups.

Additionally 1994 winners they contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted somebody else's life."

Last week, the MVT revealed it had rescued several local spots in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in that location were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.