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The star has donated the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.

Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his latest record his work was named the best record of the previous year.

The musician has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his beginning days.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also participated, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across the UK.

The donation supported spaces that were facing possible closure due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.

"The notion that funds from shows in big venues helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.

Fender is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.

In Pulp won the award in 1996 for their record their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would give their prize money to the charity the charity.

During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her prize between a few charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked better apparatus," the artist shared with outlets.

Previously, the band contributed their funds to the local youth club that developed their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.

And 1994 winners the group contributed their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," stated singer Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected the lives of others."

Last week, the trust revealed it had saved two local spots in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.