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The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the UK's independent live music spots.

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

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his beginning days.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.

He also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across the UK.

The money assisted venues that were confronting possible closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.

Other venues received monetary aid in improving amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.

"The concept that funds from performances in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

Fender is among several artists to donate his award winnings to good deeds.

In Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist the singer declared that the group would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her bounty between multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a grand to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required better apparatus," the artist explained to outlets.

In recent years, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that supported their act, in addition to other local music groups.

And the 1994 recipients the group gave their award to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.

"Winning was quite enough," said artist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved a couple of local spots in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by a national body and music fans who acquire "stakes" in the properties.