Samantha burst into tears when she opened the box from florist Elise Ip on Christmas Day. It was a surprise gift from her boyfriend, in custody for joining last year's Hong Kong protests.

Hong Kong florist Elise Ip makes gifts as a free service for prisoners held over last year's pro-democracy protests to send to their friends and relatives
Hong Kong florist Elise Ip makes gifts as a free service for prisoners held over last year's pro-democracy protests to send to their friends and relatives AFP / Peter PARKS

"She loves dogs but she loves me more," he had written on a paper slip sent from a detention centre and relayed to Ip via a prisoner support group organised by former social welfare legislator Shiu Ka-chun.

After reading it, Ip found Samantha, who wished to use a pseudonym, a cactus in the shape of a puppy's head.

Florist Elise Ip said she hopes the gifts make prisoners and their relatives and friends feel closer to each other
Florist Elise Ip said she hopes the gifts make prisoners and their relatives and friends feel closer to each other AFP / Peter PARKS

"Receiving this is a great support to me," Samantha told AFP.

More than 50 relatives and friends have received gifts ordered by prisoners and prepared by Elise Ip under her free 'Send Flowers With You' project
More than 50 relatives and friends have received gifts ordered by prisoners and prepared by Elise Ip under her free 'Send Flowers With You' project AFP / Peter PARKS

"Those in custody don't really have opportunities to send flowers or gifts to us."

Samantha is one of more than 50 relatives and friends who have received gifts ordered behind bars and prepared by Ip, who initiated the free "Send Flowers With You" project in July.

Prisoners in Hong Kong are this year able to send Christmas gifts to their loved ones thanks to an initiative called "Free the Flowers With You", set up by a local florist. More than 10,000 people in Hong Kong have been arrested and thousands prosecuted
Prisoners in Hong Kong are this year able to send Christmas gifts to their loved ones thanks to an initiative called "Free the Flowers With You", set up by a local florist. More than 10,000 people in Hong Kong have been arrested and thousands prosecuted for joining the massive, often violent pro-democracy protests that convulsed the Asian financial centre for seven months from June 2019. AFPTV / Yan ZHAO

"I hoped it would make people inside and outside the prisons feel closer to each other," Ip told AFP.

"With every story told in each delivery, I also wish to remind the world that many have sacrificed their normal and happy life for the city."

More than 10,000 people in Hong Kong have been arrested and thousands prosecuted for joining the massive, often violent pro-democracy protests that convulsed the Asian financial centre for seven months from June 2019.

The number of those remanded has been rising, and protecting prisoners' rights has become increasingly difficult after pro-democratic legislators were forced out of the city's legislature. Authorities have also tightened rules around official visits.

The group provides services like pen pal matching, flower and snack delivery, and helps contact relatives of people in jail.