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Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 honor winnings to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was given the prize on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots played in his early career.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.

Sam Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help thirty-eight small stages across the UK.

These funds helped venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations obtained funding support in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and audiences.

"The notion that funds from concerts in large arenas helps the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

Fender is far from the only musician to give his honor prize money to good deeds.

When Pulp won the award in the year 1996 for their release their work, lead singer the singer announced that the group would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty between several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the community center that developed their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

And 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted somebody else's life."

In the past week, the trust revealed it had protected a couple of local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.

The first in that area and the other in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.