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Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 award prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the Britain's small concert spaces.

Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his latest record the album was declared the top album of the past year.

Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues had in his initial steps.

"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I did around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

He also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.

The money assisted venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties arising from flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and noise complaints.

Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and concertgoers.

"The idea that funds from shows in big venues helps the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.

Fender is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.

In the band won the prize in the mid-90s for their release their work, vocalist the singer stated that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her bounty among multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked better apparatus," the artist explained to outlets.

Previously, they gave their prize money to the community center that nurtured their band, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Also 1994 winners they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the disease.

"The victory was ample," said artist Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved two small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.

One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were purchased under the community ownership program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the properties.