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Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which works to save the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.

The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the top album of the previous year.

Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, major artists like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous local spots across the UK.

These funds supported venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by flooding, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.

Some locations received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.

"The concept that funds from shows in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

The musician is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.

When Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, vocalist Cocker stated that the act would donate their cash to the non-profit War Child.

That year, artist Ms Dynamite split her award among multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked better apparatus," the artist told a publication.

Previously, the band donated their funds to the local youth club that supported their band, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

And 1994 winners they donated their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.

"Winning was sufficient," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected the lives of others."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected several local spots in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.

The first in Southampton and The Croft in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "ownership units" in the venues.