Saints chairman Rupert Lowe has donated cash to help build a statue to former manager Ted bates as well as giving thousands of pounds of Royal charities following his libel battle against the Times newspaper.

The Ted Bates Trust is just one of four charities to benefit from Mr Lowe's high-profile libel victory last autumn.

He was originally awarded £250,000 in damages but the newspaper was given leave to appeal against £200,000 of that and an out-of-court settlement means The Times will pay just £50,000.

Mr Lowe had pledged to give any award to charity and has now shared out the cash between the four groups.

The statue fund will get £5,000 and Saints in the Community will get £20,000 for its grassroots projects in Southampton.

Mr Lowe is Chairman of the Prince's Trust in the South East and £15,000 is donated to that cause, with £10,000 awarded to the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

The Chairman, who has been on the receiving end of fans' protests at Saints' last three home matches, said: "I am delighted to be able to give these substantial amounts to four very good causes. I strongly believe in all of them and it is nice to know this money will be put to good use."

Ted Bates, pictured above right, served Saints for 66 years as player, manager and administrator before his death in November 2003.

The commemorative statue is expected to cost about £100,000 and fans pledged to raise half of that. So far they have collected about £35,000. Mr Lowe had previously promised to match the fans' target.

Hampshire sculptor Ian Brennan has been commissioned to design the statue, which should be unveiled at St Mary's by Bates' widow, Mary, near the third anniversary of his death later this year.

Dave Ford, of the Ted Bates Trust, said: "We are nearly there thanks to Rupert's donation.

Peter Osgood and his wife Linda are organising a 30th anniversary FA Cup win dinner at the Guildhall on April 29, with money raised split between the Ted Bates Trust and cancer charities supported by Saints and England star Alan Ball.