The musician contributes twenty-five thousand pounds award winnings to small live spaces

Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the Britain's small live music spots.

The star was given the award on 16 October as his latest record the album was declared the top album of the previous year.

He has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his beginning days.

"I would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I played around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

Sam Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.

The donation helped venues that were confronting possible closure due to challenges arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Some locations obtained monetary aid in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and audiences.

"The idea that funds from performances in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.

Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.

When they received the trophy in 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the act would give their cash to the charity the charity.

That year, artist Ms Dynamite split her award among a few organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the community center that supported their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

And the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning touched somebody else's life."

Recently, the MVT announced it had saved two small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.

One venue in Southampton and the other in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "shares" in the properties.