Anne McLaughlin MSP will tomorrow join members of the Cranhill community of Glasgow and human rights campaigners in an effort to ask city centre Christmas shoppers to demand the release of Florence and Precious Mhango.

Florence and Precious, a mother and daughter originally from Malawi who have been resident in the UK for nearly seven years, have been detained at Dungavel and Yarl's Wood reception centres since 18 November.

Gathering in front of Border's on Buchanan Street from 11am to 2pm tomorrow, campaigners will distribute a Christmas card bearing Precious' image that tells people the background of her case and encourages people to contact Home Secretary Alan Johnson MP and request their humanitarian release during their pending legal proceedings. The card also provides details of an account to which supporters can contribute for their legal expenses.

Commenting on the event, Ms McLaughlin said: "Florence and Precious Mhango have been detained for weeks and I am extremely concerned about their physical and mental wellbeing.  It is incredibly distressing that Precious, a ten year old child, could be detained at Yarl's Wood over Christmas rather than being at home with her friends at church and at school.  Precious, an outgoing and bright child, has become withdrawn and silent in detention and I am concerned that her mental state will only get worse.

We are taking the message about Florence and Precious to Christmas shoppers hoping that in their abundance of Christmas spirit, they can take a few minutes to contact the Home Secretary, donate money, and spread the word.  They have incredible support throughout Glasgow and I am confident that tomorrow's campaign will go a long way towards bringing the Mhango family home.  After all,  the only thing that Precious wants for Christmas is to come back to Glasgow with her mother."