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The star has donated the entirety of his £25k honor prize money to the trust for venues, which works to save the UK's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was named the best record of the last 12 months.

The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.

Sam Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money helped venues that were facing possible closure due to difficulties caused by flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and fans.

"The concept that revenue from performances in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.

The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to good deeds.

Back when they received the prize in the year 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Cocker stated that the act would give their winnings to the charity the charity.

That year, musician Ms Dynamite divided her bounty across multiple organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also gave a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," she shared with a publication.

Previously, the band contributed their winnings to the local youth club that developed their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Also 1994 winners the group contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the condition.

"Winning was sufficient," stated artist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

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

The Joiners in Southampton and the other in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.