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Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his £25k honor cash to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.

He was given the cheque on 16 October as his third album the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

Fender has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues had in his beginning days.

"As an artist would not have achieved what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16% of the entire UK sector.

Recently, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which supports independent venues.

Fender also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across the UK.

The donation supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations received financial assistance in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that helped musicians and concertgoers.

"The concept that funds from performances in large arenas helps the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has commented.

Fender is among several artists to give his award funds to worthy causes.

When Pulp received the trophy in the year 1996 for their release the album, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would contribute their prize money to the charity the charity.

In 2002, musician she divided her award between multiple charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," the artist shared with the media.

In recent years, the band contributed their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.

And winners that year the group gave their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success touched the lives of others."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected several local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in that area and the second in the city were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.