🔗 Share this article

Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the Britain's independent music venues.

Fender was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release the album was named the top album of the previous year.

He has decided to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their admission fees, which goes to help independent venues.

He also joined in, generating over £100k on his live tour to help thirty-eight grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation assisted venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.

Some locations were granted funding support in modernizing amenities and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.

"The notion that funds from performances in major spaces backs the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

The musician is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize funds to good deeds.

When they received the trophy in 1996 for their album the album, frontman Cocker declared that the group would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her award across multiple organizations, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," she explained to outlets.

Previously, they gave their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their band, as well as other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"The victory was ample," said artist Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected another person's life."

Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued several local spots in south-east England, by placing them under local control.

One venue in Southampton and the second in the city were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.