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The star has handed over the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to protect the UK's grassroots live music spots.

He was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his new release the album was named the best record of the last 12 months.

He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues had in his early career.

"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits local stages.

Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his live tour to help thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation helped spaces that were facing possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained funding support in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.

"The concept that revenue from performances in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has said.

The musician is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.

In the band received the award in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would give their prize money to the charity War Child.

That year, artist the artist split her award among multiple good causes, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," she shared with the media.

Two years ago, they contributed their funds to the local youth club that supported their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

Also the 1994 recipients the group gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust announced it had protected two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under local control.

The first in Southampton and the other in that location were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.