Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his £25k honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the United Kingdom's small music venues.
He was given the prize on mid-October as his third album his work was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
He has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
Fender also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.
These funds helped locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges arising from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from performances in big venues supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
He is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to worthy causes.
When the band earned the prize in the year 1996 for their record the album, frontman Cocker declared that the act would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.
That year, musician the artist divided her prize between a few charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," she explained to outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their band, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year M People donated their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT announced it had rescued several small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.
One venue in that area and the second in the city were bought under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the properties.
