Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
The star was awarded the award on mid-October as his third album his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
In the last year, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
The money supported locations that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges stemming from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Some locations received monetary aid in modernizing infrastructure and gear that helped artists and fans.
"The notion that funds from shows in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to worthy causes.
Back when they earned the award in 1996 for their release their work, frontman Cocker announced that the band would donate their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, artist she divided her prize across multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist explained to the media.
Two years ago, they gave their winnings to the youth organization that developed their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally 1994 winners M People contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the condition.
"Winning was ample," stated artist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success touched somebody else's life."
Recently, the MVT revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in that area and the other in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.
