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Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the UK's small concert spaces.

He was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his third album the album was named the best record of the last 12 months.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16% of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across the UK.

These funds supported spaces that were facing possible closure due to challenges stemming from floods, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Other venues were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.

"The idea that funds from performances in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," Fender has said.

He is among several artists to donate his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

In Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Cocker announced that the group would contribute their prize money to the organization the charity.

That year, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize among multiple organizations, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite told a publication.

In recent years, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other independent music bodies.

Also the 1994 recipients M People donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.

"Winning was sufficient," stated singer the singer. "The money was the extra but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected somebody else's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued two grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into local control.

One venue in that area and the other in that location were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who buy "shares" in the properties.