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Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small music venues.

He was given the prize on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.

He has decided to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds supported spaces that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties arising from floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations received monetary aid in modernizing amenities and gear that helped musicians and audiences.

"The notion that money from concerts in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

In Pulp earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their record the album, vocalist the singer announced that the act would donate their cash to the charity War Child.

During 2002, artist the artist split her award among a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.

Two years ago, they contributed their funds to the local youth club that supported their act, as well as other local music groups.

And winners that year the group gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked vocalist Small. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected another person's life."

In the past week, the MVT revealed it had saved several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.

The first in that area and The Croft in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the properties.