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The star has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the UK's grassroots live music spots.

The star was awarded the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

The musician has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

He also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to help thirty-eight small stages across Britain.

These funds helped venues that were facing possible closure due to challenges arising from flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in improving facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and concertgoers.

"The concept that revenue from shows in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

He is not the first artist to donate his honor prize money to worthy causes.

Back when they received the prize in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, lead singer the singer announced that the band would contribute their winnings to the charity the charity.

That year, artist Ms Dynamite split her award across a few organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," the artist explained to outlets.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the youth organization that developed their act, alongside other independent music bodies.

Also the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked artist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted another person's life."

In the past week, the MVT shared it had protected a couple of small stages in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the venues.