Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25k honor prize money to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's grassroots music venues.
Fender was awarded the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was named the best record of the last 12 months.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained funding support in modernizing infrastructure and gear that positively impacted artists and audiences.
"The notion that revenue from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
He is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize funds to good deeds.
Back when Pulp earned the award in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, lead singer Cocker stated that the band would contribute their cash to the charity the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her bounty across several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Previously, the band donated their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their band, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted another person's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued two local spots in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
The Joiners in the city and the second in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the properties.
