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The artist has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to save the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.

The star was presented with the prize on 16 October as his latest record his work was declared the best record of the past year.

He has chosen to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his early career.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.

Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to help 38 local spots across the UK.

The donation assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to challenges caused by floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from shows in large arenas helps the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has said.

The musician is not the first artist to donate his honor winnings to good deeds.

Back when Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their release Different Class, lead singer Cocker announced that the act would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

That year, rapper and singer she split her prize between several charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.

Two years ago, they donated their funds to the youth organization that supported their group, alongside other independent music bodies.

Additionally 1994 winners they donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the condition.

"Receiving the award was ample," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning affected the lives of others."

Last week, the trust revealed it had saved two grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The first in the city and the second in that location were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the buildings.