Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to save the Britain's independent live music spots.
The star was presented with the award on October 16 as his third album the album was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.
The musician has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports local stages.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.
The donation helped venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in modernizing facilities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from shows in big venues helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has said.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.
Back when Pulp earned the trophy in 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the group would give their winnings to the charity the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer she split her prize across several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," she shared with a publication.
Previously, they donated their prize money to the community center that developed their group, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients M People contributed their prize to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was ample," said vocalist Small. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success impacted another person's life."
In the past week, the MVT shared it had saved a couple of local spots in that region, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were bought under the public acquisition program, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
