Image by Twitter @KensingtonRoyal

The Prince and Princess of Wales on Thursday, 9 March, visited a Muslim community centre in West London to thank the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to provide aid and raise funds for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria last month.

Princess Kate wore an elegant Alexander McQueen black pleated dress along with a black and white headscarf. Along with Prince William, she was welcomed by the members of the Hayes Muslim Centre, who sat down with them and told them about the relief work they carried out and the sheer devastation they witnessed.

The members managed to raise £30,000, breaking their 30-year fundraising record. The money went towards helping homeless families who were left vulnerable after the earthquake.

Lead fundraiser Zia Rehman mentioned, “Within two hours we were able to raise £18,000.”

“Normally it is anything between £10,000 and £12,000. But this time the community came forward amazingly. Altogether we have raised £30,000 for Turkey and Syria,” he added.

Prince William is reported to have been very impressed by the efforts of the community, and inquired about the methods used to fundraise for important causes.

He asked, “When you do this community fundraising, what are you saying to the community? A lot of people have got relatives in some of these areas?”

Rehman responded to the Prince’s question by informing him that the community is very diverse and the fundraising work is not only limited to Muslims. He added, “When we have a cause, the community comes forward regardless of their religion.”

Princess Kate pointed out how important it is for people to come together and help each other out.

The royal couple also helped two schoolgirls Dila Haya, 14, and Lina Alkutubi, 15, in making origami cranes, which are a symbol of hope, as part of a £10,000 fundraising effort by Waldegrave School in Twickenham.