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Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k award cash to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the UK's small live music spots.

The star was given the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the past year.

The musician has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots played in his beginning days.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which supports independent venues.

Sam Fender also participated, raising over £100k on his live tour to help thirty-eight local spots across Britain.

These funds helped spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained monetary aid in improving amenities and gear that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.

"The notion that funds from shows in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.

He is among several artists to contribute his honor winnings to good deeds.

When the band won the award in the year 1996 for their album the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her award between several organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

Previously, the band donated their winnings to the community center that supported their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally 1994 winners they donated their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Winning was quite enough," said singer the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted another person's life."

In the past week, the trust announced it had saved two grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.

The Joiners in Southampton and the second in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.