“WE’VE GOT A BIGGER CHALLENGE GOING FORWARD” — CANNON HALL FARM’S FARMER RUTH SPEAKS OUT AS HUSBAND DAVE BATTLES TERMINAL CANCER

Farmer Ruth Burgess has spoken emotionally about the devastating period her family is facing after her husband, Dave, was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

The familiar face from Cannon Hall Farm has thanked supporters for the messages, donations and kindness shown to her family as Dave undergoes intensive treatment.

According to a fundraising appeal created for the family, Dave is currently receiving daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Ruth and Dave have two sons, and the family is facing an uncertain period while concentrating on his treatment and spending time together.

In an emotional Instagram message, Ruth acknowledged the enormous amount of support that has reached the family.

“It’s been very humbling,” she said while thanking people who had sent messages and donations.

But Ruth also made clear that the family knows there is a difficult road ahead.

“We’ve got a bigger challenge going forward, but we’ll carry on.”

She also expressed gratitude to the medical team supporting Dave, including staff at The Christie in Manchester.

A DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS

Ruth is well known to followers of Cannon Hall Farm through her work with the animals and the farm community.

The family’s situation became public through a fundraising appeal launched on July 10, 2026, by Jacqui Tymon on behalf of Maryann Bestford.

The campaign was created to provide practical support for Ruth, Dave and their two sons during what organizers described as an extraordinarily difficult period.

The fundraiser states that Dave has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and is undergoing intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It says the money raised can be used by the family in whatever way helps them most in the months ahead.

The appeal has a target of £24,000.

The latest fundraiser page available shows £19,843 raised from 1,021 donations, meaning the campaign has passed 80 percent of its target.

Organizers have stressed that there is no expectation for anyone to give more than they can afford, saying that donations, shares and messages of support all matter to the family.

RUTH THANKS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE STOOD BY THEM

As news of Dave’s diagnosis spread, supporters of Cannon Hall Farm began sending messages of encouragement to Ruth and her family.

For people who have followed Ruth through the farm’s social-media community, the response has been deeply personal.

Ruth has continued to thank supporters rather than focusing publicly on the details of Dave’s prognosis.

In her emotional message, she acknowledged how difficult the situation has been while making clear that the family intends to keep moving forward.

“It’s been very humbling,” Ruth said.

She then added:

“We’ve got a bigger challenge going forward, but we’ll carry on.”

The message captured both the uncertainty surrounding the family’s circumstances and Ruth’s determination to continue supporting Dave through treatment.

SUPPORT FROM THE CANNON HALL FARM COMMUNITY

Cannon Hall Farm, in South Yorkshire, has built a large audience through its television appearances, social-media content and everyday connection with visitors.

The farm’s official website continues to list regular events and activities, including its September 2026 Falconry Weekend and upcoming autumn events.

That wider community has now rallied around Ruth at a time when her attention is focused on her family.

The fundraiser describes Ruth as a particularly well-known member of the Cannon Hall Farm family, highlighting her work caring for animals and the connection she has developed with followers over the years.

The campaign organizers said their hope was to ease some of the practical pressures facing the family and give them more freedom to concentrate on what matters most: being together.

THE FAMILY HAS KEPT DETAILS PRIVATE

Beyond the description of Dave’s illness and treatment, the family has not publicly released a detailed prognosis.

That means many of the medical specifics surrounding his condition remain private.

The fundraising appeal confirms only that Dave has stage 4 terminal cancer and is receiving intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Ruth’s own public comments have similarly focused on gratitude and the support surrounding the family rather than providing extensive medical details.

Her mention of The Christie reflects the involvement of the specialist cancer centre in Manchester, where the family has expressed gratitude for the care Dave has received.

“WE’LL CARRY ON”

For Ruth, the coming months are now about facing an extremely difficult family situation while continuing to support her husband and their two sons.

The response from supporters has provided both financial and emotional backing.

With the fundraiser approaching its £24,000 target and more than 1,000 donations recorded, people who know Ruth through Cannon Hall Farm have continued to leave messages of support.

Ruth’s words — “we’ll carry on” — have become a simple reflection of the family’s position.

There is no suggestion that the road ahead will be easy.

But amid the uncertainty, Ruth has made clear that she, Dave and their children are facing it together, surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and a community that has chosen to stand beside them.

For now, the family is focused on treatment, time together and taking each day as it comes.