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The star has donated the entirety of his £25k honor winnings to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's independent music venues.

Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the top album of the previous year.

He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports smaller concert halls.

He also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across the UK.

The money helped locations that were facing possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.

Some locations received funding support in modernizing facilities and gear that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.

"The notion that money from concerts in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.

Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.

In the band won the prize in the mid-90s for their release their work, vocalist Cocker stated that the band would donate their prize money to the organization War Child.

In 2002, musician she divided her bounty between a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," she told a publication.

In recent years, they contributed their prize money to the youth organization that supported their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.

"Winning was ample," stated artist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted another person's life."

Last week, the trust announced it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.

The Joiners in the city and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.