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The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to save the UK's grassroots music venues.

He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.

He has opted to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his initial steps.

"As an artist would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.

He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 local spots across Britain.

The donation helped locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues stemming from floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.

Other venues obtained monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and audiences.

"The notion that money from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

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

Back when Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their album Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the band would donate their cash to the organization the charity.

During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite split her award among several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite told outlets.

Two years ago, they gave their winnings to the community center that developed their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"The victory was ample," remarked singer Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning touched another person's life."

Last week, the MVT shared it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under community ownership.

One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.