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The artist has given the complete sum of his £25,000 honor winnings to the MVT, which operates to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.

Fender was presented with the award on mid-October as his new release People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.

Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous local spots across the UK.

The money helped locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to challenges caused by floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.

Additional spaces were granted funding support in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues backs the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.

The musician is among several artists to give his honor funds to worthy causes.

When they won the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, vocalist the singer stated that the band would give their cash to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her award across multiple organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," she explained to a publication.

Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the community center that developed their band, alongside other local music groups.

Also the 1994 recipients the group donated their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"The victory was ample," said artist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our success touched the lives of others."

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

The Joiners in Southampton and the second in Bristol were bought under the community ownership program, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.