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The artist has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the Britain's independent live music spots.

Fender was given the prize on 16 October as his new release his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.

He has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages played in his early career.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I played around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.

The money supported spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges arising from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and noise complaints.

Additional spaces received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.

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

He is among several artists to contribute his award winnings to charitable organizations.

Back when the band received the trophy in 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the group would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her prize among several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist told the media.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their group, alongside other local music groups.

And 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the disease.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked artist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued a couple of local spots in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.

The first in the city and the other in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "shares" in the properties.