Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the UK's small live music spots.
He was given the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
He has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages had in his early career.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
He also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation helped spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The notion that money from concerts in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
He is among several artists to give his award prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when they won the prize in the year 1996 for their record the album, vocalist Cocker announced that the group would give their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her bounty across a few organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
In recent years, the band gave their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally winners that year the group contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"The victory was ample," stated artist Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved a couple of local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The first in the city and The Croft in that location were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.
