Norman honoured as masters ambassador

Norman Stoller (front) collects his North West Business Masters Ambassador award

WELL-KNOWN former Oldham businessman and millionaire philanthropist Norman Stoller has been honoured with a top regional award.

Mr Stoller, who owned Seton Healthcare, the company whose tubular bandage made it a worldwide famous name - was named North-West Business Masters Ambassador at the North-West Business Masters Awards.

The 80 year old set up the Stoller Charitable Trust 20 years ago - and just as millions flowed into his various enterprises over the years, they have also flowed out to various good causes. More than £10 million has gone to North-West charities and other organisations alone.

The Stoller trust funded a £7.5 million concert hall at Cheetham’s school of music in Manchester, a £2.5 million donation for a new organ at Manchester Cathedral, and the pledge of another £1 million to the Oldham Enterprise Fund.

The trust has also pumped funds into Mahdlo Youth Zone, which has given teenagers in the town a meeting point.

Mr Stoller told the awards audience: “All of us have to look to the next generation of young people if we want to live in a land where there is enterprise and enthusiasm. We owe it to them to give them a hand.

“We have tried to do what we can, particularly in Oldham - which is the centre of the universe - but I couldn’t have done any of it without the trustees of the Stoller Charitable Trust. I want to place on record that it is their combined help that has enabled me to stand before you now.

“We don’t give any money away, we give money back and if you can do that I think you can start to feel you are really getting somewhere in life.

“Tonight a young man came over and told me his success in life was down to the ideals he learned at Seton. I can’t tell you how much pride and pleasure I got from that comment.”