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The artist has handed over the full amount of his £25k honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the UK's independent live music spots.

Fender was given the prize on mid-October as his new release his work was declared the top album of the previous year.

He has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

He also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to help 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation assisted spaces that were facing imminent closure due to issues arising from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and gear that helped performers and fans.

"The idea that revenue from shows in big venues supports the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

He is far from the only musician to donate his honor prize money to good deeds.

When the band received the prize in the mid-90s for their release the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would give their winnings to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her award across multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist shared with the media.

Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the disease.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," said artist the singer. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success impacted the lives of others."

In the past week, the trust announced it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.

The Joiners in the city and the other in the city were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by a national body and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.