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The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the Britain's independent concert spaces.

He was given the award on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

Fender has chosen to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation helped venues that were facing potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Some locations were granted monetary aid in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.

"The concept that funds from concerts in big venues supports the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.

Fender is far from the only musician to donate his honor funds to worthy causes.

When they earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would donate their cash to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, musician the artist split her bounty between a few charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I contributed a grand to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required better apparatus," the artist explained to a publication.

Two years ago, they donated their funds to the local youth club that supported their group, as well as other local music groups.

And winners that year the group donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the condition.

"Winning was quite enough," said vocalist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted the lives of others."

Recently, the MVT announced it had protected two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the properties.