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Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's small concert spaces.

He was awarded the award on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was named the top album of the previous year.

He has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

He also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to assist numerous local spots across the UK.

The money supported locations that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.

Other venues received funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.

"The concept that money from shows in large arenas backs the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.

The musician is among several artists to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

In the band earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their release the album, lead singer the singer announced that the act would donate their winnings to the charity the charity.

In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her award between several organizations, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist told a publication.

Previously, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that supported their act, in addition to other local music groups.

And winners that year M People contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"The victory was quite enough," said artist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted another person's life."

Recently, the MVT announced it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.

The first in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the properties.