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Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the UK's small music venues.

Fender was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his third album People Watching was named the best record of the previous year.

The musician has decided to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also participated, raising over £100k on his live tour to help 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted locations that were facing potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Some locations obtained monetary aid in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.

"The notion that revenue from shows in major spaces helps the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

The musician is far from the only musician to give his award winnings to worthy causes.

Back when the band won the prize in 1996 for their release their work, frontman the singer stated that the band would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her prize across a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed better apparatus," she told the media.

Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Also winners that year they donated their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was ample," said vocalist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted another person's life."

Last week, the MVT shared it had saved several small stages in the South East, by bringing them into local control.

One venue in that area and The Croft in that location were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.