Members of the UK cigar community have raised more than £1,000 for men’s health charities at a social gathering held in West London.

The Surrey Cigars Christmas Party took place on Friday, 12 December, at The Castle Bar in Ealing. The event was organised by Surrey Cigars, a Guildford-based retailer, and brought together enthusiasts from across London and the South East for an evening of socialising, live entertainment, and fundraising.

The gathering was held on the venue’s covered outdoor terrace. The free-to-attend event featured a DJ and live samba music. Guests were seen wearing seasonal outfits, including Santa hats and festive jackets, while socialising in the terrace area.

Alongside the social element, a charity raffle raised £1,080 for two organisations focused on men’s health: The Prostate Project and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). Prizes for the raffle were supplied by a number of cigar distributors, including Hunters & Frankau, Tor Imports, Davidoff, Brightleaf, and Robert Graham, and featured items such as a wooden cigar humidor.

The owner of Surrey Cigars, James, said the event highlighted the strength and generosity of the community.

“It was a pleasure to see so many familiar faces and welcome new ones” he said. “A huge thank you to everyone who supported our charity, whether by purchasing tickets, donating prizes or spreading the word. Thanks to your generosity, we were proud to raise funds for The Prostate Project and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) , supporting vital life-saving and mental health work.”

The Prostate Project, based in Guildford, supports prostate cancer services at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and operates a mobile testing unit known as the “Man Van”, offering PSA blood tests aimed at early diagnosis. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with a death recorded approximately every 45 minutes.

CALM works to prevent suicide by providing support services, including a free and anonymous helpline available seven days a week. The charity says an average of 18 people die by suicide in the UK each day.

Surrey Cigars, which operates from Guildford and sells both in-store and online, said it was already planning further community events in 2026.

Credit to James and Amy for the photos.