Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the Britain's small music venues.
He was given the prize on mid-October as his new release his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues played in his beginning days.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to issues caused by flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The concept that revenue from performances in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
The musician is among several artists to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the group would contribute their prize money to the charity the charity.
That year, musician the artist shared her prize among multiple organizations, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," the artist explained to the media.
In recent years, the band donated their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group donated their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT revealed it had rescued a couple of small stages in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in that location were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by a national body and supporters who purchase "stakes" in the properties.
