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The star has given the complete sum of his £25k honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.

The star was awarded the award on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was named the best record of the previous year.

Fender has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.

He also took part, raising over £100k on his live tour to assist numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Additional spaces received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped performers and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues helps the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.

The musician is far from the only musician to give his honor prize money to worthy causes.

Back when Pulp received the prize in 1996 for their record the album, lead singer the singer stated that the act would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, musician the artist shared her prize across multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she explained to outlets.

In recent years, they donated their funds to the youth organization that supported their act, in addition to other local music groups.

Also the 1994 recipients they contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the disease.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory touched somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust announced it had rescued several small stages in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.

The first in that area and the second in the city were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by the arts council and supporters who purchase "shares" in the buildings.