The musician contributes £25,000 cash award to small concert halls

Sam Fender accepting the award in his hometown
Sam Fender was awarded the prestigious award in October in the North East

The star has donated the entirety of his £25,000 honor cash to the trust for venues, which works to protect the Britain's independent music venues.

He was given the award on October 16 as his new release his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.

Sam Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help numerous local spots across Britain.

The donation supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.

"The notion that revenue from shows in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

Pulp on stage
The group are among the artists who donated their award prize money to charity

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

In Pulp earned the prize in 1996 for their release Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.

In 2002, musician the artist divided her prize across a few charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also contributed a grand to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," the artist told a publication.

In recent years, they gave their winnings to the community center that nurtured their group, in addition to other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"The victory was ample," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning affected the lives of others."

In the past week, the trust announced it had rescued several local spots in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in the city and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by a national body and supporters who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.

William Whitaker
William Whitaker

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