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Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which operates to save the UK's independent music venues.

He was given the cheque on mid-October as his third album the album was named the top album of the last 12 months.

The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his beginning days.

"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Recently, top acts including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.

Sam Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to help 38 small stages across the UK.

The money assisted spaces that were facing possible closure due to difficulties arising from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in upgrading amenities and gear that directly benefitted artists and audiences.

"The concept that money from performances in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," the star has said.

He is not the first artist to give his honor funds to worthy causes.

In Pulp won the award in 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, musician the artist split her bounty among multiple charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," she explained to the media.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the community center that developed their group, in addition to other local music groups.

Also winners that year M People donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory affected the lives of others."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved two small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.

One venue in Southampton and the second in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "shares" in the venues.