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The artist has given the complete sum of his £25,000 honor winnings to the MVT, which works to protect the Britain's small live music spots.

Fender was given the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was declared the top album of the previous year.

He has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots played in his early career.

"I wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians like Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.

He also participated, raising over £100k on his live tour to help 38 small stages across the UK.

The money assisted spaces that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in modernizing infrastructure and gear that helped performers and audiences.

"The notion that funds from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.

Fender is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.

When Pulp received the prize in the year 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Cocker announced that the act would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty across a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"And I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she explained to outlets.

In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally 1994 winners they contributed their award to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," said vocalist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning affected the lives of others."

Last week, the trust revealed it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.

The Joiners in the city and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership program, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who purchase "shares" in the venues.