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The artist has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 award winnings to the MVT, which operates to protect the UK's independent music venues.

Fender was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the best record of the previous year.

Fender has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.

Recently, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.

Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Other venues received financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The idea that revenue from concerts in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it begins for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.

He is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize winnings to worthy causes.

In the band received the award in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, vocalist the singer stated that the band would donate their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, artist she split her prize across several organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.

Two years ago, the band donated their winnings to the community center that developed their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.

And the 1994 recipients M People gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success impacted the lives of others."

Recently, the MVT shared it had rescued several local spots in that region, by placing them under local control.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the buildings.