Tony Pillage - January winner
Anthony Pillage runs 'The Way of the Spiritual Warrior' martial arts school in Little Heath where he teaches about 250 students, aged from four to 54.
He teaches children not only martial arts but also how to avoid bullies and resist peer pressure.
He works for the Positive Futures initiative and the Rathbone Organisation, teaching disadvantaged children and young adults, as well as teaching self defence to students at Bablake School.
He is a personal mentor to many of his pupils and people call him with their problems day and night. Anthony always has time and advice for them and goes out of his way to help and support them, whatever their situation. His non-judgmental approach has led him to be considered not just as a teacher, but also a friend to his students and their families alike.
He came to martial arts a number of years ago after a life-threatening illness meant he had to spend almost a month in hospital. During this time he realised that he was tired of the corporate 'rat-race' and he wanted to do something more from his heart, something that would help people improve themselves.
Tony is a pillar of the community and deserves to be recognised as a good Citizen of Coventry.