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The artist has given the entirety of his £25k award cash to the MVT, which operates to save the UK's grassroots music venues.

He was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the top album of the previous year.

Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.

Sam Fender also participated, raising over £100k on his recent tour to assist numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds helped venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties arising from flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.

Additional spaces received monetary aid in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and fans.

"The notion that revenue from performances in big venues helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," the star has commented.

The musician is far from the only musician to give his honor funds to good deeds.

In Pulp won the prize in the mid-90s for their release the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their winnings to the organization the charity.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize among multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also gave a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," she explained to the media.

Previously, they gave their funds to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients the group contributed their award to a MS organization after a friend was found to have the condition.

"The victory was ample," stated singer Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."

In the past week, the trust revealed it had saved a couple of local spots in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.