Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to save the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release the album was named the best record of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Fender also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to assist 38 local spots across Britain.
The money assisted locations that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues obtained funding support in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped artists and fans.
"The notion that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
In they won the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would give their winnings to the charity the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer she split her bounty among several good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," she explained to the media.
Previously, the band contributed their winnings to the community center that supported their group, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients they contributed their award to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated artist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success affected the lives of others."
Recently, the trust announced it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into community ownership.
The first in Southampton and the second in Bristol were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by a national body and music fans who acquire "shares" in the venues.
