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The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the Britain's grassroots music venues.

He was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

He has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots played in his beginning days.

"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits local stages.

He also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across Britain.

The money helped spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues arising from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Some locations received financial assistance in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.

"The concept that funds from performances in big venues backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.

He is not the first artist to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.

In the band won the prize in the year 1996 for their record the album, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would give their cash to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, musician she divided her prize between several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," she shared with outlets.

Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their group, in addition to other local music groups.

Additionally 1994 winners M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the condition.

"Winning was ample," remarked vocalist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted another person's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.

One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were bought under the public acquisition program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.