The artist gives twenty-five thousand pounds Mercury Prize to independent music venues

Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the UK's independent music venues.

Fender was presented with the prize on October 16 as his third album People Watching was chosen as the best record of the past year.

The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his early career.

"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, top acts including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

He also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.

The donation assisted venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.

"The idea that revenue from shows in large arenas helps the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

He is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize funds to good deeds.

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

In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her award among multiple charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," she shared with outlets.

Two years ago, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that supported their band, alongside other local music groups.

And the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved two small stages in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in the city were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.