Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the Britain's grassroots music venues.
He was presented with the award on mid-October as his latest record the album was named the top album of the previous year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, major artists such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.
The money helped venues that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations received funding support in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that money from shows in big venues backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.
He is among several artists to donate his award prize money to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their release their work, frontman Cocker stated that the act would give their cash to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, artist the artist shared her award between multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.
Two years ago, they donated their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated vocalist Small. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory affected the lives of others."
Recently, the trust announced it had protected several small stages in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.
One venue in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "ownership units" in the venues.
