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Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25k honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the Britain's small live music spots.

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

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots played in his early career.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their admission fees, which goes to help independent venues.

Sam Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.

The money assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to difficulties arising from floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received financial assistance in improving infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted artists and audiences.

"The idea that funds from concerts in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.

The musician is among several artists to give his award winnings to good deeds.

Back when they received the trophy in the mid-90s for their album their work, vocalist Cocker stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

That year, artist she shared her bounty between multiple good causes, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist told outlets.

Two years ago, the band donated their prize money to the community center that developed their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

And the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.

"Winning was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched somebody else's life."

Recently, the trust announced it had protected several local spots in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in the city and the second in Bristol were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.