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Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's small live music spots.

The star was awarded the prize on October 16 as his third album People Watching was named the best record of the past year.

The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages had in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

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

He also joined in, collecting over £100k on his live tour to help numerous small stages across the UK.

The money helped spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.

Other venues were granted funding support in modernizing infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.

"The idea that money from concerts in big venues helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.

Back when Pulp received the award in the year 1996 for their release their work, frontman the singer declared that the group would give their cash to the organization the charity.

That year, artist the artist shared her prize between a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," the artist told a publication.

Previously, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that developed their band, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Also the 1994 recipients they donated their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the condition.

"Winning was quite enough," stated vocalist the singer. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success impacted the lives of others."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected two grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into community ownership.

The first in the city and the other in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.