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The star has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the UK's grassroots music venues.

The star was awarded the award on mid-October as his new release the album was named the outstanding release of the previous year.

Fender has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages played in his beginning days.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Recently, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their admission fees, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous local spots across Britain.

The money assisted locations that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from floods, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.

Other venues received funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.

"The idea that revenue from performances in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has said.

He is among several artists to donate his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

Back when they received the trophy in the mid-90s for their release their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would contribute their winnings to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her bounty across several charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," the artist told outlets.

Previously, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the community center that nurtured their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Also winners that year the group contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory affected somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust announced it had rescued several grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.