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The artist has donated the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to protect the United Kingdom's small live music spots.

The star was presented with the award on 16 October as his third album the album was named the best record of the previous year.

Fender has chosen to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots had in his initial steps.

"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I played around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, top acts such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their admission fees, which supports local stages.

He also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds assisted spaces that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Additional spaces obtained funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.

"The concept that revenue from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize funds to charitable organizations.

Back when they won the prize in 1996 for their album the album, lead singer the singer declared that the group would give their cash to the charity the charity.

During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her award between a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," the artist explained to the media.

Two years ago, they donated their prize money to the local youth club that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.

Additionally 1994 winners the group donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"The victory was quite enough," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched the lives of others."

Recently, the MVT revealed it had protected several local spots in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in Bristol were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the buildings.