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Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the Britain's independent music venues.

Fender was presented with the award on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.

He has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Fender also participated, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The notion that funds from shows in major spaces supports the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

Fender is among several artists to give his award funds to good deeds.

Back when they won the award in the year 1996 for their album the album, frontman the singer stated that the group would contribute their cash to the organization the charity.

That year, artist she divided her bounty among several good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," she explained to outlets.

In recent years, they gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their band, in addition to other local music groups.

Additionally winners that year M People donated their award to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning touched somebody else's life."

In the past week, the MVT announced it had saved several local spots in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.

The Joiners in the city and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who buy "stakes" in the buildings.