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The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 award winnings to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's grassroots music venues.

The star was awarded the award on mid-October as his new release the album was named the outstanding release of the past year.

The musician has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages had in his beginning days.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also participated, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds helped venues that were dealing with possible closure due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and sound issues.

Other venues obtained monetary aid in improving facilities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.

"The concept that funds from shows in big venues supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has stated.

He is not the first artist to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

When the band earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their record their work, vocalist the singer announced that the act would contribute their prize money to the organization the charity.

During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her prize between multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the youth organization that supported their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

And winners that year the group contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated artist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success touched another person's life."

In the past week, the MVT shared it had saved several local spots in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.

One venue in that area and the other in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who buy "shares" in the buildings.