The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the Britain's small music venues.
He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.
The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots had in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have shut down – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, raising over £100k on his recent tour to help 38 local spots across the UK.
These funds helped spaces that were facing imminent closure due to challenges caused by flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations were granted financial assistance in upgrading amenities and gear that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from performances in big venues backs the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to give his award funds to good deeds.
In Pulp received the trophy in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, frontman the singer announced that the group would give their prize money to the charity the charity.
During 2002, artist she shared her bounty across a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," she told the media.
In recent years, the band donated their winnings to the local youth club that developed their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the trust revealed it had protected two small stages in the South East, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in that area and the other in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
