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The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the UK's grassroots concert spaces.

He was presented with the prize on October 16 as his latest record his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages played in his early career.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.

Sam Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous grassroots venues across the UK.

The donation helped locations that were confronting possible closure due to issues arising from flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received funding support in improving infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.

"The notion that revenue from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

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

When the band earned the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer Cocker announced that the band would give their prize money to the charity the charity.

During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her prize across several good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," the artist told a publication.

Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the community center that nurtured their act, alongside other local music groups.

Also 1994 winners they donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.

"Winning was sufficient," said singer the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our success affected somebody else's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into community ownership.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who buy "stakes" in the properties.