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The star has given the full amount of his £25,000 honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the Britain's small live music spots.

He was given the award on mid-October as his new release People Watching was declared the best record of the last 12 months.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.

Sam Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to support 38 local spots across the UK.

The money supported venues that were confronting imminent closure due to issues arising from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in upgrading amenities and gear that positively impacted musicians and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from shows in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.

Fender is among several artists to give his honor funds to charitable organizations.

When the band won the prize in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, frontman Cocker announced that the band would give their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her award across multiple organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she explained to the media.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the community center that nurtured their band, as well as other independent music bodies.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted another person's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several local spots in that region, by placing them under local control.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were purchased under the community ownership program, which is supported by a national body and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the properties.