How far would you go to protect a child from the cruel pain of bullying? One inspiring hero from our local Marbella community is taking his message of hope to the absolute top of the world.

Pancho Campo, a 65-year-old former professional tennis player and entrepreneur, is preparing for the ultimate leap of faith. Flying out to Nepal this November, he aims to skydive beside Mount Everest. Descending through freezing thin air at speeds over 250 km/h in temperatures plunging to minus 40 degrees Celsius, he wants every young person suffering in silence to know they are never alone.

Taking a stand for vulnerable school children

Bullying is a heartbreaking issue for many young people. Recent research from the ANAR Foundation (which supports children and teenagers at risk) reveals that more than 14 percent of students report experiencing or witnessing school bullying or online abuse.

Having seen the emotional pain caused by bullying among loved ones, Pancho decided to turn empathy into dramatic positive action. He launched the Zero Bullying campaign, uniting his US-based charity, The Planet Future Foundation, with The American College in Spain, a well-known higher education institution based right here in Marbella. Backed by the Spanish Association for the Prevention of School Bullying (AEPAE), who support the programme.

Jumping into the extreme HALO zone

Completing this extraordinary leap requires a military-style HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) technique. Dropping from a helicopter high above 7,000 metres (around 23,000 feet), Pancho will plummet in prolonged freefall before deploying a specially enlarged parachute closer to the ground.

Braving these dizzying heights means using supplemental oxygen masks to guard against hypoxia (oxygen deprivation). If successfully completed between November 11 to 14, the brave effort will make Pancho the first Spaniard to execute an individual solo skydive in the Everest region, as well as the oldest person to accomplish the feat.

Building momentum from Herning to the Himalayas

Taking to the skies for social change is familiar territory for the determined 65-year-old. Back in August 2024, Pancho completed a successful HALO jump in Herning, Denmark, using the thrilling leap as a platform to shout “No to bullying!” and ignite global conversations around youth mental health.

“Nobody should have to face a mountain of fear on their own,” Pancho shared, who aims to draw a parallel between the fear of jumping into the void and the fear that many children experience when they are bullied.

Supporters can follow every stage of this momentous Everest expedition, watch live preparations, and join the movement by following Pancho Campo across his official social media channels, including Instagram and Facebook @pancho.campo and @panchocamposmile

Monday, November 2 is a bank holiday across Andalucia, with All Saints’ Day (Dia de Todos los Santos) observed on Monday because November 1 falls on a Sunday in 2026.

The public holiday means banks, town halls, most government offices and schools will close, while many shops, restaurants and leisure businesses can continue operating.

Banks and offices shut

Banks, town halls and most government offices will be closed on Monday, along with schools and businesses that normally operate standard office hours. Anyone needing to deal with banking or official paperwork should do so before the weekend or wait until Tuesday, November 3.

Shops mainly open, but not all of them

November 2 is an authorised trading day in Andalucia, meaning larger shops and supermarkets are legally permitted to open despite the public holiday.

However, opening is not compulsory, so individual chains and branches decide whether to trade and may operate special holiday hours.

Mercadona will be closed, but other chains including Lidl, Carrefour, Aldi and Alcampo are currently listed as open on this holiday. Opening times can vary between branches, so shoppers should check before travelling.

The major Costa del Sol shopping centres La Cañada in Marbella, Miramar in Fuengirola and Plaza Mayor in Malaga are also permitted to open their shops on November 2,although individual retailers may choose different hours.

Restaurants, bars and cafes are generally able to open, but be warned, popular venues may be busy so booking ahead for is advised.

Transport and services

Public transport will operate on public holiday timetables, rather than normal weekday schedules where separate holiday services apply.

Renfe’s C1 Cercanias line between Malaga and Fuengirola, serving stops including Malaga Airport, Torremolinos and Benalmadena, will continue running, but passengers should check the Renfe journey planner for their specific train times.

Costa del Sol bus services will also operate, with many routes using their “Sabados, domingos y festivos” timetable for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Health services will operate on a reduced public-holiday basis, with many ordinary health-centre services unavailable or operating limited hours. Urgent and emergency care will continue through the appropriate out-of-hours and emergency services.

Why November 2 is a holiday

All Saints’ Day is celebrated on November 1, traditionally a day when families remember deceased relatives and visit cemeteries.

As November 1 falls on a Sunday this year, Andalucia observes the public holiday on Monday, November 2, creating a three-day weekend for many people who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off.

As individual businesses and transport operators can apply different holiday schedules, it is worth checking opening and departure times before setting out.

All high-speed trains travelling to and from Malaga have been suspended following a serious railway accident in Toledo province, leaving passengers facing uncertainty as emergency services respond to the disaster.

The suspension affects one of the Costa del Sol’s main rail connections, with services between Malaga and Madrid halted after two high-speed trains collided on Wednesday, October 28. The accident occurred near Urda, involving trains operated by Renfe and Iryo on the Madrid-Andalucia corridor. At least 10 deaths had been reported in initial coverage of the tragedy, with the toll and circumstances still developing. Read our latest report on the deadly high-speed train crash in Spain.

Passengers needing to travel between Malaga and Madrid will have to consider alternatives while the high-speed rail line remains closed. Options include flights from Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, long-distance coaches and car-sharing services such as BlaBlaCar. Travelling by car is another possibility, although the journey is considerably longer than taking the AVE.

Demand for alternative transport could rise sharply as passengers look for ways to reach their destinations, potentially reducing availability and pushing up prices. Travellers are advised to check flight and coach availability directly with operators before setting off, and to check their train operator’s latest announcements about cancellations, refunds and alternative arrangements. Some reports are coming in suggesting flight prices have reached €1,000.

Malaga passengers face travel uncertainty

Malaga’s Maria Zambrano station is among the locations affected by the disruption. Travellers who had planned to reach Madrid or continue journeys elsewhere in Spain are being urged to check directly with their train operator before setting out.

Adif, which manages Spain’s rail infrastructure, confirmed that high-speed traffic on the Madrid-Andalucia line had been interrupted following the collision. Passengers can check the latest railway network status from Adif for updates on the disruption.

Renfe has announced that passengers affected by the disruption can change or cancel their tickets without charge. Iryo passengers should check the conditions applying to their bookings directly with the company. Our guide explains what passengers affected by the Madrid-Andalucia rail disruption should do.

No date confirmed for services to resume

There is currently no confirmed timetable for the restoration of high-speed services from Malaga. Passengers should not assume that trains will resume on any particular date, and any changes to services on sections of the route, including connections towards Cordoba, will depend on official announcements.

The immediate priority remains the emergency response and the consequences of the collision, rather than restoring normal travel as quickly as possible.

For passengers with journeys planned over the coming days, the situation may require alternative arrangements. Checking updates from Adif and the relevant train operator is essential, as information may change as the response continues. Passengers can also consult the official Renfe website for travel information and assistance.

The disruption is a further reminder of the human cost behind Wednesday’s railway tragedy. For families awaiting news of those travelling on the trains, the priority is far more serious than cancelled journeys and delayed plans.