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Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the Britain's grassroots concert spaces.

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

He has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages played in his early career.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by applying a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his live tour to support numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money helped spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations obtained financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that helped musicians and fans.

"The concept that revenue from concerts in large arenas supports the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.

The musician is among several artists to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.

In Pulp won the award in the mid-90s for their album their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their prize money to the non-profit the charity.

That year, rapper and singer she split her bounty among a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the community center that supported their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally winners that year they donated their award to a MS organization after a friend was found to have the disease.

"Winning was quite enough," remarked singer Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted another person's life."

In the past week, the trust shared it had protected two grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.

The first in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "shares" in the buildings.