Cudeca Hospice and the Provincial Council of Malaga have appealed to the public, businesses and institutions for an immediate boost in support for the “Eres una Pieza Clave” (You Are a Key Piece) campaign, which aims to raise €355,000 to guarantee the continued operation of the organisation’s vital Inpatient Unit.

Launched in November 2025, the initiative has so far collected €110,000, a figure that reflects genuine community unity but still leaves a major gap with the deadline approaching.

Decisive moment for Cudeca centre

Speaking at a press conference in Benalmadena, Marisa Martín, Chief Executive and Medical Director of Cudeca Hospice, described the current moment as decisive:

“What we have raised demonstrates that people do respond when they understand the need. However, it also shows that we require one final, powerful collective effort. Reaching, or falling short of, the target will determine whether we can maintain the level of comprehensive, compassionate, family-centred care that has been the hallmark of Cudeca for more than thirty years.”

The Inpatient Unit provides specialist palliative care to approximately 240 patients and their families each year, offering not only advanced medical and nursing attention but also essential psychological, social and emotional support. Like many palliative care services, its sustainability depends on a combination of public funding and private donations, making community generosity indispensable.

To inject renewed energy into the campaign’s final stage, Cudeca and the Provincial Council announced that a special incentive, designed to recognise and encourage donor participation, will be revealed mid-week commencing 19 January. Further details will be shared shortly.

Diputación de Málaga partners with Cudeca

Provincial representatives underlined the shared social responsibility involved: “Palliative care is an essential service and a collective commitment. By standing shoulder-to-shoulder Cudeca in this appeal, we wish to acknowledge the extraordinary value of its work and encourage the people of Malaga to become actively involved at this critical juncture.”

Marisa Martín expressed particular gratitude to the Provincial Council of Malaga for its consistent, empathetic and committed partnership over many years.

Cudeca reiterated that every donation, regardless of size, is meaningful. All contributions made through the campaign qualify for significant tax relief, available to both individuals and companies.

Donations can be made via:

• Online: www.erespiezaclave.org
• Bizum: 07761 (NGO donation code)
• Bank transfer to La Caixa: ES11 2100 9032 3722 0010 8366
• In person at the Cudeca Centre or Joan by Cudeca Hospice charity shops

Since its foundation in 1992 by Joan Hunt, Cudeca Hospice has provided free, professional palliative care to more than 21,000 patients and thousands of family members. Its philosophy remains unchanged: while days cannot be added to life, life can be added to days — through dignity, comfort and holistic accompaniment until the very end.

With the campaign now at a pivotal stage, Cudeca and the Provincial Council of Malaga are calling on everyone to help complete the picture. Every care matters. Every piece counts.

Mijas Town Council has unveiled an ambitious plan to boost public safety across the different areas of municipality with the installation of more than 150 high-tech surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence. The project, presented by Mayor Ana Mata, represents a big step forward in crime prevention, citizen safety, and traffic control.

With an investment of more than €2 million from the 2026 budget, the system will be fully managed by a Local Police Coordination Centre (CECOM) and will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. CCTV will be strategically placed primarily in the three main population centres, Mijas Pueblo, La Cala, and Las Lagunas, as well as in key urbanisations.

Electronic eyes watch over all corners of Mijas

The network includes dedicated cameras for the safety of residents in public squares, high-traffic areas, and public spaces to prevent crimes and protect people, property, and public heritage. Extra cameras focused on traffic control and licence plate recognition will be installed at access points, roundabouts, and town entrances/exits to identify vehicles, monitor mobility, and support police investigations.

Designed in collaboration with a specialised company and Mijas Local Police, the system incorporates high-resolution digital technology, night vision, and AI-driven video analytics. Images will be transmitted mostly via wireless networks to minimise civil works, costs, and disruptions to public roads. All locations have been selected based on technical and police criteria, and put the most sensitive points in the town first.

Mayor Mata promotes “sense of safety”

Mayor Mata expressed the importance of this measure for Mijas, the third-largest municipality in Malaga province by area and population (approaching 100,000 residents). “Coexistence, well-being, leisure, and daily life in a city are only possible with a real sense of safety,” she stated. “Mijas is already a safe municipality, but this initiative will make it even safer for all our residents.”

The council have assured that the project strictly complies with data protection regulations, with clearly signposted areas and images used solely for police and administrative purposes.

The contract for the project has been published on the State Contracting website, with bids for the system’s installation and management accepted until February 2.

Increased police presence on Mijas streets

As the latest increases in security infrastructure, the project builds on Mijas’ ongoing efforts to combat crime, something feared to be spilling over from neighbouring towns, and improve policing. Throughout 2025, the council has implemented several initiatives demonstrating a strong commitment to public safety:

• In December 2025, Mijas was highlighted as the only Costa del Sol town to reduce overall crime by 10 per cent, bucking the regional trend of increases, thanks to operational reorganisation, new strategies, and a visible rise in patrols and preventive checks. Significant drops were recorded in violent robberies (25 per cent), home burglaries (23 per cent), and computer fraud (20 per cent).
• Summer 2025 saw the council double police presence on the streets during the high-season period to address the influx of visitors.

The 2025 budget for the Local Police was doubled to nearly €1.5 million, the largest increase in five years—supporting intensified efforts.

Earlier in the year, reports noted a 41 per cent rise in arrests during the first four months of 2025 compared to the previous year, signalling a more proactive crackdown on crime, including theft, assaults, and outstanding court orders.

These measures, combined with the new video surveillance system, underscore Mijas’ proactive approach to maintaining and enhancing its reputation as one of the safest municipalities on the Costa del Sol.