Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to save the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.
He was given the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.
He also joined in, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted funding support in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from concerts in large arenas supports the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
When the band received the trophy in the mid-90s for their release their work, lead singer the singer stated that the group would contribute their prize money to the organization War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her prize between multiple good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the community center that supported their band, alongside other independent music bodies.
Additionally winners that year they contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked vocalist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success affected somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT announced it had saved several local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into community ownership.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by a national body and music fans who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
