CANNON HALL FARM FAMILY RALLIES AROUND FARMER RUTH AS HUSBAND DAVE BATTLES TERMINAL CANCER

Fans of Cannon Hall Farm have rallied around Farmer Ruth and her family after her husband, Dave, was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

Ruth is a familiar face to followers of the South Yorkshire farm, where she has become known for her work caring for animals and sharing life on the farm with its wider community.

But away from the farm, Ruth and her family are now facing an intensely difficult period after doctors diagnosed Dave with advanced cancer.

According to a fundraising appeal launched in July, Dave is undergoing intensive treatment, including daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The family has two sons.

“DEVASTATING NEWS” FOR THE FAMILY

The news was shared with Cannon Hall Farm’s followers in an emotional message describing Ruth as a “very special part” of the farm family.

The statement explained that Ruth and her family had received devastating news about Dave’s diagnosis and were facing considerable uncertainty about the future.

Rather than asking supporters simply to send messages, friends and members of the Cannon Hall Farm community created a fundraiser to provide practical financial support for the family.

The campaign said the money would allow Ruth and her family to concentrate on being together and making precious memories during an extraordinarily difficult time.

The fundraiser was launched on July 10, 2026.

MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE HAVE DONATED

The response from supporters has been substantial.

The GoFundMe campaign lists a target of £24,000 and, at the latest available update, had raised £19,843 from 1,021 donors.

The appeal stresses that people should only contribute what they can afford, while emphasizing that donations, shares and messages of support all matter to the family.

Ruth has also publicly thanked supporters for the messages and donations following the announcement of Dave’s diagnosis.

For a family whose everyday life has long been shared with the public through Cannon Hall Farm, the response has offered a powerful reminder of the community surrounding them.

A FARM COMMUNITY GOING THROUGH ITS OWN DIFFICULT YEAR

The cancer diagnosis comes during an already emotional period for the Cannon Hall Farm team.

The farm’s official website recently described the past few months as an “incredibly difficult” period for its Shire horses, following several health problems and losses.

The farm has continued to share updates with visitors and followers while caring for its animals and supporting the people who work there.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Cannon Hall Farm continues to operate and host events.

Its latest schedule lists a Falconry Weekend on September 26–27, followed by the Pumpkin Patch in October and other seasonal events later in the year.

FOCUSING ON FAMILY

For Ruth, however, the most important priority is now her husband and their two children.

The fundraising appeal says the family is supported by relatives, friends, colleagues and the wider Cannon Hall Farm community.

Its purpose is not only to provide financial assistance but to give Ruth and her family some freedom from additional pressures while Dave undergoes treatment.

“Every donation, every share and every message of support will mean something,” the appeal says.

As supporters continue to follow Ruth’s journey, many have been leaving messages of encouragement for the family.

The road ahead remains uncertain, but the response from the Cannon Hall Farm community has made one thing clear: Ruth, Dave and their sons are not facing this difficult chapter alone.