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Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the Britain's grassroots live music spots.

The star was awarded the award on mid-October as his third album People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots played in his beginning days.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.

Fender also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous small stages across the UK.

The money assisted locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and audiences.

"The notion that funds from shows in major spaces backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.

He is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.

In they won the prize in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, vocalist Cocker declared that the group would give their winnings to the organization War Child.

During 2002, musician the artist split her bounty across multiple charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she explained to outlets.

Previously, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

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

"Winning was quite enough," said singer the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success affected the lives of others."

In the past week, the MVT announced it had rescued a couple of local spots in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.

The first in the city and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.