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The star has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.

The star was presented with the prize on mid-October as his third album his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.

Fender has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I personally would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

He also took part, collecting over £100k on his live tour to support thirty-eight local spots across Britain.

The money supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in improving facilities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The concept that revenue from performances in major spaces backs the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his award winnings to good deeds.

When Pulp earned the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty between a few charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.

Two years ago, the band donated their funds to the youth organization that developed their group, as well as other local music groups.

And the 1994 recipients the group donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.

"Winning was sufficient," remarked artist the singer. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success impacted somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust shared it had protected two grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the public acquisition program, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who purchase "shares" in the properties.