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Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 honor cash to the trust for venues, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.

Fender was given the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.

Fender has opted to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – about 16% of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also took part, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds assisted spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations received funding support in improving amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and audiences.

"The notion that funds from shows in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.

He is among several artists to give his award funds to worthy causes.

In Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their release Different Class, lead singer Cocker stated that the act would contribute their prize money to the charity the charity.

In 2002, musician she divided her bounty across a few organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.

Previously, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their band, as well as other local music groups.

Also winners that year they contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the condition.

"The victory was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory touched another person's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected two grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The first in Southampton and the second in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the properties.