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

Behind the familiar smiles, animals and everyday moments at Cannon Hall Farm, one family is facing an incredibly difficult chapter.

Farmer Ruth Burgess has received an overwhelming wave of support after revealing that her husband, Dave, has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and is undergoing intensive treatment.

The heartbreaking news has prompted thousands of people who know Ruth through the farm and its social media community to rally around her family.

“IT HASN’T BEEN AN EASY TIME”

Ruth recently spoke publicly about the difficult period her family has been going through, thanking supporters for the messages, donations and kindness they have shown since Dave’s diagnosis.

In an emotional Instagram video, Ruth became visibly upset while speaking about the response from the Cannon Hall Farm community.

She described the support as “very humbling” and thanked everyone who had taken the time to reach out.

Despite the circumstances, Ruth indicated that the family was determined to continue facing the road ahead.

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

Dave is currently undergoing intensive treatment, including daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy, according to the family’s fundraising appeal.

A FAMILY OF FOUR FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Ruth and Dave have two sons, and the family is now navigating an uncertain future while trying to spend as much time together as possible.

A fundraising campaign was launched to support them during this extraordinarily difficult period.

The organisers said the money would give Ruth and her family greater freedom to concentrate on what matters most — being together and making memories — rather than worrying about some of the additional pressures that can come with such a devastating diagnosis.

The appeal has a target of £24,000.

The latest reported figures show that approximately £19,843 had been raised from 1,021 donors, putting the campaign more than 80% of the way toward its goal.

THOUSANDS RALLY AROUND RUTH

The response has highlighted just how strongly Ruth is connected to the Cannon Hall Farm community.

For years, followers have watched her work with animals and share glimpses of life at the South Yorkshire farm.

Now, many of those same followers have turned their attention toward supporting Ruth and her family.

Messages of love, strength and encouragement have poured in, while supporters have also contributed to the fundraising campaign.

The appeal organisers have stressed that people should only donate what they can afford, with every donation, share and supportive message helping the family feel surrounded by the community that has followed them for years.

“WE’VE GOT A BIGGER CHALLENGE GOING FORWARD”

Ruth has acknowledged that the road ahead will not be easy.

In her emotional message to supporters, she said:

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

Those words have resonated with many people following the family’s story.

Rather than sharing extensive details about Dave’s condition publicly, Ruth has focused much of her message on gratitude toward those who have stood beside her family.

The family has not publicly provided a detailed prognosis beyond describing Dave’s cancer as stage 4 and terminal.

CANNON HALL FARM HAS ALSO FACED HEARTBREAK THIS YEAR

The difficult news comes during an already emotional year for the Cannon Hall Farm community.

The farm has recently experienced several heartbreaking moments involving its animals.

In July, Farmer Rob became emotional after announcing that Ruby the horse would need to be put to sleep following a serious deterioration in her condition.

He explained that Ruby was on three legs and that, after consulting with her veterinary team, he believed continuing her treatment was no longer the kindest option.

The farm has previously mourned other much-loved animals.

In 2022, the team announced the death of Lottie, a giant 19-hand Shire horse, following a sudden decline in her health.

And in 2025, the family was left devastated by the death of Herkules, a three-year-old stallion who had struggled to recover from colic.

These moments have often been shared openly with the farm’s followers, creating a close connection between the people who work there and the wider audience watching from home.

A FAMILIAR FACE TO THOUSANDS

Cannon Hall Farm is a family-run attraction in South Yorkshire and has become particularly well known through television programmes and social media.

The farm’s farmers have also appeared in programmes including Springtime on the Farm, bringing their work, animals and family life to audiences across Britain.

Ruth has become a familiar face to the farm’s online followers through her work caring for animals and appearing in the farm’s social-media content.

That familiarity has made the news about Dave particularly difficult for the community that has watched Ruth’s life and work over the years.

“WE’LL CARRY ON”

For Ruth, Dave and their two sons, the coming months are likely to be dominated by treatment, family time and an uncertain future.

But amid the heartbreaking circumstances, Ruth’s message has remained one of gratitude and determination.

She has thanked everyone who has supported her family and acknowledged the kindness shown by people who may never have met them personally.

The fundraising campaign continues to receive donations, while messages of encouragement continue to arrive from people who have followed Cannon Hall Farm for years.

For a family that has spent so much time bringing joy to others through animals, farming and life at the farm, the community is now trying to give some of that support back.

Ruth, Dave and their two sons are facing an extraordinarily difficult journey — but they are facing it surrounded by a community that has made clear they are not alone.