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The artist has handed over the entirety of his £25k award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.

The star was given the award on mid-October as his third album People Watching was named the top album of the past year.

Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their admission fees, which goes to help independent venues.

Sam Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to help 38 small stages across the UK.

These funds supported spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues arising from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading facilities and gear that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.

"The concept that money from performances in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," the star has commented.

Fender is not the first artist to give his honor funds to charitable organizations.

In the band received the trophy in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist the singer stated that the group would donate their winnings to the organization War Child.

In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her award across several charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite told a publication.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the community center that nurtured their band, as well as other independent music bodies.

And 1994 winners M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the illness.

"Winning was quite enough," said artist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted another person's life."

Recently, the MVT revealed it had protected a couple of small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the venues.