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The star has handed over the entirety of his £25k award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the UK's independent live music spots.

He was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his third album the album was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

Fender has decided to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages had in his beginning days.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

He also joined in, generating over £100k on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted spaces that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties caused by floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Other venues obtained funding support in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The idea that revenue from shows in major spaces backs the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.

The musician is not the first artist to donate his award winnings to charitable organizations.

In Pulp won the trophy in the mid-90s for their record the album, lead singer the singer announced that the group would give their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her bounty among a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other local music groups.

And 1994 winners the group contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory touched somebody else's life."

Recently, the MVT shared it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by a national body and supporters who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.