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Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to save the United Kingdom's independent music venues.

Fender was given the award on mid-October as his third album his work was named the outstanding release of the past year.

The musician has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages had in his beginning days.

"I personally 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," said Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.

He also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation assisted spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges stemming from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.

Some locations received funding support in improving amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from shows in major spaces backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

The musician is among several artists to contribute his award funds to good deeds.

In Pulp won the prize in the mid-90s for their release their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would donate their prize money to the organization War Child.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize between a few organizations, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," she explained to a publication.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, alongside other independent music bodies.

And 1994 winners they gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the illness.

"The victory was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted somebody else's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to local control.

The Joiners in the city and the second in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the properties.