Sam Fender donates his £25k prize award winnings to grassroots live spaces

Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the UK's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.

He has chosen to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – about 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.

He also took part, generating over £100k on his recent tour to assist numerous grassroots venues across the UK.

These funds supported venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges arising from water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.

Some locations received monetary aid in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and fans.

"The concept that revenue from shows in large arenas supports the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has stated.

The musician is among several artists to contribute his honor prize money to charitable organizations.

Back when the band earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, lead singer the singer announced that the act would give their prize money to the organization the charity.

That year, artist she shared her award between multiple charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked better apparatus," the artist shared with a publication.

Previously, the band donated their winnings to the youth organization that supported their group, alongside other independent music bodies.

Also winners that year they donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the condition.

"The victory was ample," remarked artist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our success affected another person's life."

Last week, the trust shared it had protected a couple of small stages in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the venues.