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Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the Britain's independent concert spaces.

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

The musician has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his early career.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits local stages.

Sam Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to help thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation helped venues that were facing possible closure due to issues stemming from floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.

Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted artists and fans.

"The idea that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.

He is not the first artist to contribute his honor winnings to good deeds.

Back when Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist the singer declared that the group would give their cash to the non-profit the charity.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite split her prize among several charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist explained to a publication.

Previously, the band donated their winnings to the youth organization that developed their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally winners that year they contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success affected another person's life."

Recently, the MVT announced it had protected several grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.