Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.
Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release his work was named the top album of the past year.
The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his live tour to help numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
These funds supported spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces received funding support in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that helped artists and fans.
"The notion that funds from performances in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
Fender is not the first artist to give his award funds to good deeds.
In the band received the award in the mid-90s for their release the album, frontman the singer declared that the band would contribute their cash to the charity the charity.
That year, artist Ms Dynamite divided her award between several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite told a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year the group donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the illness.
"The victory was quite enough," said artist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory affected the lives of others."
Recently, the trust announced it had rescued two local spots in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in the city and The Croft in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who purchase "shares" in the buildings.
