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Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25,000 award prize money to the MVT, which operates to save the UK's independent music venues.

He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his third album People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages had in his initial steps.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, top acts including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support 38 grassroots venues across Britain.

The donation helped spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties caused by floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and audiences.

"The concept that money from shows in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.

The musician is among several artists to give his honor prize money to worthy causes.

When the band received the award in the year 1996 for their record the album, vocalist the singer declared that the act would contribute their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty among a few charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite told a publication.

Previously, the band contributed their prize money to the local youth club that supported their group, as well as other local music groups.

And the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the disease.

"The victory was quite enough," remarked vocalist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

Last week, the trust announced it had protected several small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by a national body and supporters who purchase "shares" in the properties.