Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
Fender was awarded the prize on 16 October as his new release the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.
Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages played in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
He also took part, raising over £100k on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across the UK.
These funds helped spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations received monetary aid in modernizing facilities and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.
"The concept that money from performances in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his honor funds to good deeds.
When they received the award in the year 1996 for their release their work, lead singer the singer announced that the group would donate their winnings to the organization War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty across multiple good causes, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," she explained to the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the youth organization that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group gave their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory affected the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had rescued a couple of small stages in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the other in that location were purchased under the community ownership program, which is funded by a national body and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the properties.
