CANNON HALL FARM FAMILY FACES HEARTBREAKING CHAPTER AS FARMER RUTH SUPPORTS HUSBAND DAVE THROUGH TERMINAL CANCER

Behind the familiar animals, farm videos and happy family moments at Cannon Hall Farm, Farmer Ruth and her family are facing one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Ruth Burgess has been receiving an outpouring of support after her husband, Dave, was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

Dave is currently undergoing intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while Ruth and their two sons face an uncertain future together.

The family has become well known through Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire, where Ruth and Dave have shared their lives working with animals and connecting with visitors and followers.

But behind the familiar farm scenes, their focus has now shifted to Dave’s treatment and making the most of their time together.

RUTH THANKS SUPPORTERS THROUGH AN EMOTIONAL UPDATE

Ruth recently spoke publicly about the difficult period and thanked people who had sent messages, shared their support and contributed to a fundraising campaign established for the family.

In an emotional update, she acknowledged that the road ahead would be challenging but expressed gratitude for the community surrounding them.

“It’s been very humbling,” Ruth said while thanking supporters for their kindness.

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

The emotional nature of Ruth’s message offered followers a glimpse into the reality the family is facing away from the farm.

A FUNDRAISER FOR THE FAMILY

A fundraising campaign was created to help Ruth, Dave and their two sons during this exceptionally difficult period.

The appeal says the family wants to have greater freedom to concentrate on treatment, family life and spending precious time together.

The campaign has attracted more than 1,000 donations, with a fundraising target of £24,000.

Supporters have left messages of encouragement alongside their donations, with many explaining that they wanted to give something back to a family they had followed through Cannon Hall Farm for years.

For some supporters, Ruth and the farm have become familiar parts of their everyday lives through social media and television.

Now, that relationship has taken on a very different meaning.

“WE’LL CARRY ON”

Despite the seriousness of Dave’s diagnosis, Ruth has continued to speak about moving forward one day at a time.

During her emotional update, she acknowledged the enormity of the challenge facing the family but said they would continue.

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

Those words have resonated with supporters who have rallied around the family.

Messages have described Ruth as an inspiration and offered strength to her, Dave and their children as Dave continues treatment.

LIFE AT CANNON HALL FARM CONTINUES

While the family’s private circumstances have changed dramatically, life at Cannon Hall Farm continues.

The farm’s official website currently lists its regular attractions and September events, including its Falconry Weekend on September 26–27, 2026.

The farm has also recently spoken about another difficult period involving its Shire horses.

A September event featuring specialist equine vet Marco was described by the farm as an opportunity to reflect on the “incredibly difficult few months” experienced by its Shire horse team.

For the people who follow Cannon Hall Farm, however, the story of Ruth and Dave has become especially personal.

A FAMILY FOCUSING ON PRECIOUS TIME TOGETHER

A terminal cancer diagnosis brings enormous uncertainty, and the family is now balancing treatment with everyday life and caring for their two sons.

The fundraising appeal is intended to reduce some of the practical pressures surrounding the family so they can concentrate on what matters most: being together.

Ruth has spent years sharing the realities of farming with the public — from caring for animals to the challenges and unexpected moments that come with life on a working farm.

Now, she is facing an intensely personal challenge of her own.

Dave continues to receive treatment, while Ruth and their children remain by his side.

And as messages of support continue to arrive, the Cannon Hall Farm community is making one thing clear:

Ruth, Dave and their family are not facing this difficult chapter alone.