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Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the Britain's independent music venues.

He was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages had in his initial steps.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about 16% of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.

Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous small stages across Britain.

The money helped spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to issues caused by water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and concertgoers.

"The notion that revenue from shows in big venues supports the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to worthy causes.

Back when they received the prize in the mid-90s for their album the album, frontman Cocker announced that the group would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

That year, rapper and singer the artist divided her bounty between several good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I gave a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," the artist told the media.

Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients the group donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"Receiving the award was ample," said singer Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected the lives of others."

In the past week, the MVT announced it had saved several local spots in the South East, by transferring them to local control.

The Joiners in that area and the second in that location were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.