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The star has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the UK's small concert spaces.

The star was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.

He has decided to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his live tour to support numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation assisted locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and gear that helped artists and fans.

"The notion that money from shows in major spaces helps the local stages, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.

He is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize funds to charitable organizations.

In the band earned the award in 1996 for their record the album, vocalist Cocker declared that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.

In 2002, musician the artist divided her award among multiple organizations, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.

Previously, the band gave their winnings to the community center that nurtured their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally winners that year they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the illness.

"The victory was quite enough," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning touched another person's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved a couple of local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.

One venue in the city and The Croft in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the venues.