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Laura and Soulayma with handprinted messages from Syrian refugee children Picture: Getty Images/Ben Pruchnie

If one million Syrian refugee children are going to get into school this year, it鈥檚 time for action. NOW!

That was the message from TV star Laura Carmichael and Soulayma Mardam 鈥� a for A World at School 鈥� outside world-famous Big Ben in London today.

The Downton Abbey actress and Soulayma聽delivered hand-printed messages from young Syrian refugees, calling for education for every girl and boy affected by the conflict.

The messages from hundreds of children living in Lebanon arrived in London ahead of the when world leaders will address gaps in aid funding.

They are part of A World at School鈥檚 campaign. Tens of thousands of people have signed or sent messages through campaigning movement聽聽and media partners sa国际传媒 Broadcasting Corporation ().

Nearly 40,000 messages have arrived in the past four days. with thousands of personal messages from children in Syria.

Soulayma 鈥� who will address a Supporting Syria and the Region civil society event 鈥� said: 鈥淲orking with refugee children and families in Lebanon, one thing is clear 鈥� children can鈥檛 bear the idea of missing out on an education.

Some of the hand-printed messages sent by Syrian children

鈥淲orld leaders will be meeting in London to decide whether to fund the school year and allow one million children the chance to unlock their potential. I鈥檒l be there, taking the message that we shouldn鈥檛 miss the last chance to fund this school year.鈥�

Laura said: 鈥淟ast year I traveled to Lebanon with to meet Syrian refugee children out of school. The refugees I spoke to are are stuck in a no man鈥檚 land, waiting for the war to end, trying to retain hope for a brighter future.

鈥淓ducation for these children and families is the hope they need. It is the light at the end of the tunnel, which enables them to dream of a better future.

鈥淭oday I am presenting this message from hundreds of young people from Syria and thousands that have signed a petition demanding world leaders meeting tomorrow 鈥� invest in these children鈥檚 future by prioritising their education. This must happen now.鈥�

Alice Jay, Avaaz Campaign Director, said: 鈥淲ith no schooling Syria鈥檚 children will be casualties of war long after the guns fall silent. But today there is a chance to give them an education that would offer them a better future, help stop the flow of refugees and protect them from recruitment into extremist groups.

鈥淭hree-quarters of the funding needed to give a million children school places is there. Now thousands of people are calling on the London conference hosts to ensure the rest is pledged to get them into school this year.鈥�

A plan to put one million Syrian refugee children into schools in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey needs $750 million funding 鈥� but there is a shortfall of $300 million.

At tomorrow鈥檚 pledging conference, the international community will be asked to increase their funding to help pay for education in the region and ensure those one million children can fulfill their potential.