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The star has donated the entirety of his £25k honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the UK's small concert spaces.

He was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the top album of the past year.

He has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.

Sam Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation helped venues that were facing possible closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The idea that funds from shows in big venues helps the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

Fender is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.

In they received the trophy in 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist the singer stated that the group would give their prize money to the charity War Child.

During 2002, musician the artist shared her prize among multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist told outlets.

Two years ago, they gave their prize money to the community center that developed their band, as well as other local music groups.

And 1994 winners the group gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the disease.

"The victory was quite enough," remarked artist the singer. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning touched somebody else's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected two local spots in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.

The first in that area and the second in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who buy "ownership units" in the venues.