For MedicAlert member Philip Moody, Formula 1 is more than a lifelong passion. It is a powerful way to bring people together and raise vital funds for charity.

Philip is the creator and long standing steward of a Fantasy Formula 1 league that has raised an extraordinary £200,000 for good causes since it first began in 1990. We are proud that MedicAlert has recently been one of the charities to benefit from this remarkable initiative. Philip donated £1,276 while renewing his membership, assisted by one of our Membership Services Agents, Lily Lee.

The idea was born from a simple ambition. Philip wanted to make watching the Formula 1 season even more engaging while finding a meaningful way to give back. Drawing on his love of the sport and the support of a close group of friends, he created a competitive fantasy league where entry fees, in season tactics and prize winnings are all ultimately donated to charity.

The league ran successfully until 2003 before being revived again in 2010. Today, it continues to thrive with a committed core of participants, some of whom have been involved since the very beginning. One member even joins in from Australia, underlining the strong friendships and shared purpose at the heart of the competition.

Each season operates under a carefully designed set of rules, refreshed annually to keep things interesting. Entrants nominate drivers and teams for each race, with strategic options such as “overtakes” and “super overtakes” available to boost points at key moments, all for an additional charitable contribution. Importantly, any prize money awarded at the end of the season must be gifted directly to an approved charity, ensuring the focus always remains on fundraising rather than personal gain

Philip’s passion for Formula 1 began in the mid eighties during the iconic era of Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. He has watched every race since and has attended Grands Prix across the world including Silverstone, Montreal, Melbourne, Monaco and Hockenheim. His love of cars extends beyond the track too, having fulfilled a childhood dream by owning an Aston Martin DB9.

Behind the success of the league lies a deeply personal motivation. Philip experienced significant ill health throughout his childhood, spending long periods away from school due to chest related illnesses including asthma and bronchitis. In later life, he was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and allergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis. Long term steroid treatment led to Addison’s disease, meaning he now relies on steroids for life. He also lives with life threatening allergies that began in early childhood.

Philip’s commitment to charity is shared at home too. His wife, Ann, a keen quilter and former Chair of Bristol Quilters, helped lead an incredible community response during Covid, producing 4,000 surgical caps for staff at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Bristol Children’s Hospital, then organising home baked treats for hospital teams during the second wave. When the group created a fundraising recipe book to support Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity’s Grand Appeal, Philip’s Fantasy F1 league proudly sponsored the first print run, ensuring 100% of sales could go directly to the charity and proving that fundraising can be both creative and genuinely fun. Grand Bakes and Cupcakes Cookbook

As a MedicAlert member, Philip understands the importance of having vital medical information available in an emergency.

“MedicAlert gives me that peace of mind,” Philip explains. “If I am ever incapacitated and need urgent medical attention, my conditions will be known.”

Having benefited from the support of charities during his younger years, Philip felt a strong sense of responsibility to give back as his career progressed. Alongside a distinguished professional life as a senior business advisor, non-executive director and chairman, he made a conscious decision to donate a significant proportion of his income to charitable causes and to find ways to do more.

The Fantasy F1 league became that vehicle. Over the years, it has supported a wide range of causes including drug rehabilitation centres, pet charities, air ambulances, cancer charities, hospices and children’s hospitals. The league now raises around £6,000 each year, proving that sustained commitment can make a life changing difference.

Philip’s story is a powerful example of compassion in action. By combining passion with purpose, he has created something that not only brings enjoyment to those involved but also delivers real, lasting impact for charities like MedicAlert.

We are incredibly grateful for Philip’s generosity and proud to have him as part of the MedicAlert community.