🔗 Share this article

The star has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the MVT, which operates to save the Britain's grassroots concert spaces.

He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was named the outstanding release of the past year.

Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I did around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds assisted venues that were facing possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, fires and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.

Some locations obtained funding support in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.

"The concept that revenue from shows in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.

The musician is far from the only musician to donate his award funds to charitable organizations.

In Pulp won the award in 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization the charity.

In 2002, musician the artist shared her award across multiple charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," she explained to a publication.

Previously, they contributed their funds to the youth organization that developed their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Also 1994 winners the group gave their award to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the illness.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success impacted the lives of others."

Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued two local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The first in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the buildings.