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The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the UK's small live music spots.

Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his latest record his work was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

The musician has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part local spots had in his beginning days.

"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I played around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which supports local stages.

He also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to help thirty-eight local spots across the UK.

These funds supported locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Some locations received financial assistance in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.

"The concept that funds from concerts in major spaces supports the local stages, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.

He is among several artists to give his honor funds to charitable organizations.

In Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their release the album, frontman Cocker declared that the band would give their cash to the organization War Child.

During 2002, musician the artist divided her prize among a few organizations, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite told a publication.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the local youth club that developed their group, alongside other independent music bodies.

Also 1994 winners M People contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.

"The victory was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning touched somebody else's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued two small stages in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.