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The artist has given the entirety of his £25,000 award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the Britain's independent concert spaces.

Fender was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his third album People Watching was named the outstanding release of the past year.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

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

Recently, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports local stages.

He also joined in, generating over £100k on his recent tour to support numerous small stages across Britain.

The money helped spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and audiences.

"The idea that money from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

The musician is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.

When they earned the prize in the year 1996 for their record the album, vocalist Cocker stated that the act would give their prize money to the charity War Child.

That year, artist she shared her award between multiple charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.

Previously, they gave their winnings to the youth organization that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally 1994 winners the group gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the illness.

"Winning was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning affected another person's life."

Recently, the trust shared it had saved several grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.