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
