🔗 Share this article Sam Fender gives twenty-five thousand pounds cash award to grassroots live spaces Sam Fender was awarded the Mercury Prize last month in his hometown The star has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the UK's small music venues. He was given the prize on 16 October as his latest record his work was named the top album of the last 12 months. He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his initial steps. "I personally would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges." Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene. In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports smaller concert halls. Sam Fender also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 small stages across the UK. These funds supported locations that were confronting possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues. Other venues were granted funding support in improving infrastructure and gear that positively impacted musicians and audiences. "The idea that money from performances in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented. They are among the artists who gave their honor funds to charity The musician is not the first artist to donate his honor winnings to worthy causes. When the band received the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer the singer declared that the group would donate their prize money to the charity the charity. During 2002, rapper and singer she shared her award across a few good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization. "Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist explained to outlets. Two years ago, the band contributed their funds to the community center that supported their band, as well as other local music groups. Additionally 1994 winners they donated their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the illness. "The victory was ample," said artist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success touched the lives of others." Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship. The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and supporters who acquire "shares" in the buildings.