Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds assisted locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties caused by floods, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in modernizing facilities and gear that directly benefitted artists and fans.
"The idea that funds from concerts in big venues helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
The musician is among several artists to give his award funds to charitable organizations.
When the band received the trophy in 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the group would contribute their cash to the organization the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her award between multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Two years ago, the band contributed their prize money to the youth organization that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally winners that year the group contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Last week, the trust announced it had rescued a couple of small stages in south-east England, by placing them under local control.
One venue in that area and the other in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who acquire "shares" in the venues.
