🔗 Share this article

The artist has donated the entirety of his £25,000 award winnings to the MVT, which works to preserve the Britain's independent live music spots.

Fender was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.

Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight small stages across the UK.

The donation helped spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The idea that money from concerts in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

The musician is not the first artist to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

Back when they won the prize in 1996 for their record their work, frontman Cocker declared that the band would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.

In 2002, musician she split her award among multiple charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist told a publication.

In recent years, the band donated their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally 1994 winners the group contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the disease.

"Winning was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our success affected the lives of others."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved a couple of small stages in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in the city and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership program, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.