Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the UK's independent music venues.
He was presented with the prize on mid-October as his new release his work was declared the top album of the previous year.
The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
He also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped locations that were confronting imminent closure due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained funding support in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and fans.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
The musician is among several artists to give his award winnings to good deeds.
Back when the band won the trophy in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would give their prize money to the charity the charity.
That year, artist the artist divided her award across multiple charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Two years ago, they donated their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their band, alongside other independent music bodies.
And winners that year the group gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.
One venue in that area and the other in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
