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The artist has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small music venues.

He was given the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

He has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.

"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.

Over the past year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.

He also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds assisted venues that were facing possible closure due to issues stemming from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted musicians and fans.

"The concept that money from shows in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.

He is far from the only musician to contribute his award winnings to worthy causes.

In Pulp won the trophy in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, artist she divided her award among several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed better apparatus," the artist shared with outlets.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

And the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Winning was quite enough," remarked artist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.

The first in that area and The Croft in that location were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "ownership units" in the buildings.