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The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.

The star was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was named the outstanding release of the previous year.

Fender has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages had in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.

He also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.

The donation supported venues that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges arising from flooding, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.

"The notion that funds from shows in big venues backs the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has commented.

He is among several artists to contribute his award prize money to worthy causes.

When they won the award in the mid-90s for their record the album, vocalist the singer announced that the band would contribute their prize money to the organization the charity.

During 2002, artist the artist split her award between a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.

Previously, the band contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other local music groups.

And the 1994 recipients the group contributed their prize to a MS organization after a close contact was found to have the disease.

"The victory was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our success touched another person's life."

Last week, the MVT shared it had protected several local spots in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.

One venue in Southampton and the second in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who buy "stakes" in the venues.