Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the Britain's small concert spaces.
He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the previous year.
He has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues had in his early career.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, top acts like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Fender also joined in, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds helped spaces that were facing possible closure due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from shows in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award funds to worthy causes.
When Pulp received the prize in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her award among multiple charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," she shared with outlets.
Two years ago, the band donated their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients the group gave their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted somebody else's life."
Recently, the MVT shared it had protected a couple of local spots in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.
