Two pupils from Waldegrave School have won praise for their fundraising efforts for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria from the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Dila and Lina, who are in Year 10, made hundreds of origami cranes to sell and raise funds for the appeal.

The impressive students gave the Royal couple a hands-on lesson in how to make the birds during a visit to the Hayes Muslim Centre, which has been at the centre of an amazing fundraising effort.

The impressive students gave the Royal couple a hands-on lesson in how to make the birds.

Kate said: "It's sad that there's a need to do funding – it's amazing there are communities like this here raising (funds)."

In a social media message, the Royal couple said: "The generosity of the human spirit is at the heart of the Hayes Muslim Centre.

"Since the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria last month, volunteers and charities – including those brought together by @decappeal - have raised millions to help.

"Here in Hayes, more than £25,000 has been raised from bucket collections and other donations after prayers. An amazing effort @HayesMuslimC

For everything you have done and are continuing to do, thank you."

In a social media message, the Royal couple said:

Waldegrave School tweeted about the hard work of the pupils, saying: "In recognition of their fundraising efforts for the @decappeal Turkey-Syria appeal Y10 students Dila & Lina were invited to the @HayesMuslimC where they met TRH Prince and Princess of Wales! 

"They are fantastic ambassadors for the school and we couldn't be more proud of them."

Dila and Lina, who are in Year 10, made hundreds of origami cranes to sell and raise funds for the appeal.

While at the centre, the Royal couple heard harrowing stories from aid workers, recently returned from the disaster zone, who described desperate scenes of rescuers trying to free trapped people with just hammers.

They met representatives of the Association of Turkish Women in Britain, which is based in Richmond and partnered with the local community and a number of schools to raise more than £10,000.

The prince and princess also met representatives from DEC member charities, including aid workers who have recently returned from the crisis zone in Turkey.

Staff from Save the Children, Islamic Relief, Action Against Hunger, Age International and the British Red Cross shared the latest on the situation and the impact incoming aid is having on communities across the region.