Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25k honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the UK's grassroots live music spots.
The star was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his third album People Watching was named the best record of the past year.
Fender has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Recently, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
He also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across Britain.
These funds helped venues that were facing possible closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained funding support in modernizing infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it begins for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has said.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his honor prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their record their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would give their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her award between a few charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist explained to outlets.
Two years ago, they donated their prize money to the community center that developed their band, in addition to other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners they contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated artist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory touched another person's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved two local spots in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.
