Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his third album People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
He has decided to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function small stages played in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Fender also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.
The money helped venues that were confronting imminent closure due to issues stemming from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues received financial assistance in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that helped artists and audiences.
"The notion that revenue from concerts in large arenas helps the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
He is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their release the album, lead singer the singer announced that the group would donate their cash to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her bounty among several organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," the artist explained to the media.
Two years ago, the band donated their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year M People donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," stated vocalist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT announced it had protected several small stages in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
The first in the city and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the venues.
