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The star has given the full amount of his £25k honor cash to the MVT, which functions to protect the UK's small concert spaces.

He was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his latest record the album was named the outstanding release of the previous year.

He has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports smaller concert halls.

Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his live tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted venues that were confronting possible closure due to challenges arising from water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.

Additional spaces received monetary aid in improving amenities and gear that helped performers and fans.

"The notion that money from shows in big venues backs the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.

The musician is among several artists to contribute his award funds to worthy causes.

Back when Pulp won the award in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would contribute their cash to the non-profit the charity.

During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her prize across several organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite told outlets.

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

And the 1994 recipients the group contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted another person's life."

Recently, the MVT revealed it had rescued a couple of local spots in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.

The first in Southampton and the other in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the buildings.