Sam Fender donates Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust

Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust (MVT), further strengthening his support for the charity’s mission to protect the UK’s struggling grassroots music scene.

Presented with the Mercury Prize last month in his hometown of Newcastle for his third album People Watching, 'The Geordie Springsteen' pledged the prize money to MVT in recognition of the venues that helped shape his early career. The donation will directly support the charity’s work securing the future of independent spaces across the UK

Image credit: Sam Fender on Facebook

“I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played around the north-east, and beyond, when I was starting out,” Fender said, announcing the donation. “These venues are legendary, but they are struggling.”

This isn't the first time Fender’s pledged considerable donations to the MVT either; his 2024 arena tour raised over £100,000 for its Liveline Fund, which supports 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Mark Davyd, CEO and founder of MVT, praised the gesture: “This is an incredible act by Sam, demonstrating once again that artists absolutely understand how vital grassroots venues are to their careers and their communities. Every penny of this donation will go directly to keeping live music at the heart of our towns and cities.”

Find out about all the work the Music Venue Trust do, and where the £25,000 will be going, by visiting their website - HERE

Or, if you want to catch Sam Fender live, find out where he is playing - HERE

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Header image credit: Sam Fender on Facebook