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The star has given the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the UK's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was given the prize on October 16 as his latest record the album was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.

Fender has chosen to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his beginning days.

"I wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.

He also took part, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to help thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds helped venues that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties arising from floods, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and fans.

"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas helps the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

The musician is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize funds to good deeds.

Back when the band received the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, vocalist the singer declared that the act would donate their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, artist the artist split her award between a few charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required better apparatus," the artist shared with the media.

In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

And the 1994 recipients M People donated their award to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the disease.

"The victory was ample," stated artist the singer. "The money was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted the lives of others."

Last week, the MVT announced it had protected several small stages in south-east England, by placing them under local control.

The first in the city and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the venues.