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The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award cash to the MVT, which operates to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.

Fender was awarded the prize on October 16 as his third album his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

He has decided to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his beginning days.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.

The money supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.

Some locations were granted funding support in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The notion that revenue from performances in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has said.

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

Back when they earned the prize in the mid-90s for their record their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would give their winnings to the organization War Child.

In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her prize between multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist shared with outlets.

Previously, they contributed their funds to the local youth club that supported their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Also the 1994 recipients M People contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"The victory was ample," remarked singer the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success touched another person's life."

In the past week, the trust shared it had saved several small stages in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and the other in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.