Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
The star was given the cheque on 16 October as his new release the album was chosen as the top album of the previous year.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
He also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues received funding support in improving infrastructure and gear that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from concerts in big venues helps the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to contribute his award winnings to worthy causes.
When Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their album their work, vocalist the singer announced that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty among multiple organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," the artist told outlets.
Two years ago, they donated their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their band, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year M People donated their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success affected somebody else's life."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected two local spots in that region, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who purchase "stakes" in the venues.
