HE FLED war and suffering in his home country to become the creator of one of the most iconic British cars ever made.

Now, 30 years after the death of Mini designer Sir Alec Issigonis, a refugee charity is hoping to use his story to inspire new arrivals that they can realise their dreams.

Known as a ‘Greek God’, Sir Alec and his family fled to Britain during the Greco-Turkish war in 1922.

After studying engineering in London, during which time he failed three maths exams, he moved into car manufacturing, eventually joining Morris Motors and coming to Oxford’s Cowley plant in 1936.

First working on the Morris Minor before a fuel crisis necessitated the need for a smaller car, Sir Alec unveiled his most famous creation in 1959.

When he visited the Cowley plant earlier this year, former director Geoffrey Iley, who worked with Sir Alec, recalled being approached by the great designer in the staff canteen.

He was asked if he wanted to help test-drive the latest car - a car that turned out to be the Mini prototype, the Mini Moke.

Now 89, Mr Iley said: “The first Minis we had leaked like a sieve, but they were amazing cars. They didn’t know how to get you into trouble – they stuck to the road.

“We soon saw what an amazing piece of engineering it was.”

It’s a story that ensured Sir Alec will be remembered forever with a road name after him in Oxford - Alec Issigonis Way in Oxford Business Park - and a legacy of millions of cars sold worldwide. He died in 1988.

But the chances he got to achieve his potential are denied to many young refugees and asylum seekers who arrive in Britain today, according to Kate Smart, the Director of Oxford charity Asylum Welcome.

She said: “For someone like me who has worked with refugees for a long time, it’s a story I have always been aware of.

“It is an Oxford story, it goes to the heart of the city’s psyche. But it is also a story about how someone who came here as a refugee and was able to contribute so much to life in this country.

“It shouldn’t just feel like a bit of history, Minis are still a huge part of the city today and there is so much we can learn from the story behind them.

“It shows the talent that people bring when they move here. He was not a one off. There are lots of people who arrive in this country who never expected to be in this situation but who have the skills and experience to really make a difference.”

A year ago the charity started running a employment service to help advise refugees how to find a job and prepare them for writing CVs and doing interviews.

It came after many refugees and asylum seekers expressed frustration at not being able to secure meaningful work in Britain, even if they have extensive qualifications from their home countries.

This is leading to feelings of despair and isolation and is hampering their ability to settle in their new country, according to Ms Smart.

She said: “A lot of refugees arrive not knowing what to expect. They are hoping for a better life but often come with nothing and have to try really hard to piece their life back together again.

“It is harder than they thought it was going to be. There is a glass ceiling that restricts what they can achieve.

“Learning English is hard, getting a job is hard. It takes a long time to get your life back on track and the longer it goes on, the more desperate the situation feels.

“We need to recognise that people come here with talents and if they are given a chance to use them they will be able to contribute massively.

“It’s all a matter of confidence and teaching them how the system works. Without that, it can be very confusing.”

The charity is currently urgently seeking new sources of funding to continue the support service after the initial money given to set it up came to an end.

It is credited with helping to secure work for many dozens of refugees, including some going back into the original fields they worked in previously.

Ms Smart said: “We had one lady who was a qualified pharmacist but she could not get a job in that field, no matter how hard she tried.

“She had applied everywhere but had not even got an interview. Within a few months of receiving our help she was able to find a job as a pharmacist.

“Another man was an experienced engineer but was working part time in an fish and chip shop. He never believed he would be able to work in engineering again.

“We were able to arrange for his qualifications to be authenticated and registered him with the correct trade body.

“I think it shows it’s all about giving people the skills needed to succeed. Most have no idea how our system works. Whether it’s helping them to write CVs, practice interviews, build their confidence or get their qualifications certified. They are all stepping stones for people.”

As the charity marks Refugee Week this week, it will write to all its supporters highlighting the life of Sir Alec Issigonis and the contribution he made.

In celebrating the creativity and resilience of Oxfordshire’s past residents, they hope to inspire a new generation of refugees to achieve their potential.