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The star has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the UK's independent music venues.

He was awarded the prize on 16 October as his latest record the album was declared the top album of the past year.

Fender has opted to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages played in his initial steps.

"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.

In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.

He also took part, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous local spots across the UK.

These funds helped spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces were granted funding support in modernizing amenities and gear that helped musicians and audiences.

"The notion that revenue from shows in big venues backs the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.

The musician is among several artists to donate his honor winnings to good deeds.

When the band earned the award in 1996 for their album the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her prize between several good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required better apparatus," the artist told outlets.

Previously, they contributed their funds to the community center that nurtured their act, in addition to other local music groups.

Additionally winners that year M People contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated singer Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected somebody else's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued several local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.