Rio Hogarty's story of her life in fostering, A Heart So Big, combines
the heart-warming nostalgia of Mollie Moran's Aprons and Silver Spoons
with heart-breaking stories of children whose lives were blighted by
being unloved and uncared for in the style of Cathy Glass. Nearly
seventy years ago, Rio started to do her bit for vulnerable children,
one child at a time. While she was still in school, she thought nothing
of bringing home a schoolmate who needed refuge. It was the start of
opening her home and her heart to children in need. She has never
stopped. A Heart So Big is the astonishing and moving story of Rio's
life and how she has tried to make a difference. She has fostered over
140 children and in 2010, in an award created especially for her, she
was named Mother of the Year at the annual People of the Year Awards. It
includes stories of trauma - Rio has rescued children from the direst of
circumstances and seen the price they pay for the failures of adults.
And Rio has had her share of heartache along the way. But it is also a
story full of humour, searing honesty and good old-fashioned fighting
spirit. Rio Hogarty's A Heart So Big is an uplifting account of an
amazing and inspiring life. 'She is instinctively protective of children
in need, and doesn't take "no" for an answer. She's also fearless.' The
Herald
