Mercury Prize Winner Sam Fender Donates £25,000 to Charity

In a commendable move, Sam Fender, the winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize, has donated the entire £25,000 cash prize to the Music Venue Trust charity. Fender, who was awarded the prestigious prize for his third studio album "People Watching," recognized the importance of grassroots music venues in his own journey.

The Music Venue Trust is a charity that works to protect and secure the future of these vital spaces across the UK. A recent report by the charity revealed that in 2024 alone, 25 music venues had to close due to rising costs and changing consumer habits, with many operating on a profit margin of just 0.48%.

Fender, who hails from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, has previously collaborated with the Music Venue Trust, donating £100,000 from his 2024 UK arena tour through a voluntary £1 ticket levy. His latest gesture of donating the entire Mercury Prize winnings is a testament to his commitment to supporting the live music scene that helped launch his own career.

"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. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling." The charity's CEO, Mark Davyd, expressed gratitude for Fender's "incredible gesture," stating that the donation will make a direct difference in keeping live music at the heart of communities.