The musician donates his £25k prize cash award to grassroots music venues
The artist has given the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the Britain's independent music venues.
The star was given the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was named the top album of the past year.
He has opted to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots had in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports local stages.
He also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to support thirty-eight local spots across Britain.
The money supported spaces that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by floods, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and audiences.
"The idea that funds from shows in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.
He is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to good deeds.
When Pulp earned the trophy in 1996 for their album their work, frontman the singer declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
That year, musician Ms Dynamite divided her bounty between several charities, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also gave a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed better apparatus," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their band, as well as other local music groups.
And 1994 winners the group donated their award to a MS organization after a close contact was identified with the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success touched another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued two local spots in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
One venue in the city and the second in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who acquire "shares" in the venues.