CANNON HALL FARM FAMILY RALLIES AROUND FARMER RUTH AS HER HUSBAND FACES TERMINAL CANCER

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

Farmer Ruth Burgess, a familiar face to followers of the South Yorkshire farm, has received an outpouring of support after revealing that her husband, Dave, has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

The heartbreaking news has brought together thousands of people who know Ruth through Cannon Hall Farm, its social-media community and television appearances.

Now, as Dave undergoes intensive treatment, Ruth and her family are trying to focus on spending precious time together.

A DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS

Ruth is well known to people who follow Cannon Hall Farm, where she has shared her work with animals and glimpses of life on the family-run farm.

But away from the cameras and social-media posts, Ruth and her husband Dave are facing a deeply uncertain future.

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

The family has also expressed gratitude to the medical professionals caring for him, including staff at The Christie, the specialist cancer centre in Manchester.

Ruth has spoken about the difficult period publicly and thanked supporters for the messages, donations and kindness they have shown since the diagnosis became known.

A FAMILY OF FOUR

Ruth and Dave have two sons.

The fundraising campaign was created to help the family during what organisers describe as an exceptionally difficult period.

Rather than being intended for one specific expense, the appeal says the money will give Ruth and her family greater freedom to concentrate on what matters most — spending time together and making memories.

The campaign has a target of £24,000.

The latest reported figures show approximately £19,843 raised from 1,021 donors, putting the appeal more than 80 percent of the way toward its target.

The organisers have encouraged people to donate only what they can afford, while emphasizing that messages of support and sharing the appeal are also meaningful to the family.

“A VERY SPECIAL PART” OF CANNON HALL FARM

Cannon Hall Farm has also publicly rallied around Ruth.

The farm described her as a “very special part” of its community and appealed to supporters to help her family during the difficult period.

For years, Ruth has been a familiar presence for people who follow the farm online.

Her work with animals and appearances in the farm’s content have helped create a connection with viewers who may never have met her personally.

That relationship has now translated into a wave of support following Dave’s diagnosis.

RUTH THANKS SUPPORTERS

Ruth has personally acknowledged the response from the public.

In an emotional message shared with supporters, she thanked people who had sent messages and contributed to the fundraiser.

The support has come from people connected to Cannon Hall Farm as well as followers who have watched Ruth’s work over the years.

For the family, the messages have provided encouragement during a period dominated by medical treatment and uncertainty.

Ruth has also indicated that, despite the circumstances, the family intends to continue facing the road ahead together.

THE FARM COMMUNITY KNOWS HEARTBREAK

The latest news comes during an emotional period for Cannon Hall Farm, a family-run attraction in South Yorkshire that has become widely known through social media and television.

The farm’s family and staff have previously shared moments of both joy and heartbreak with their audience.

Earlier this year, Farmer Rob became emotional after announcing that Ruby the horse would need to be euthanised following a serious deterioration in her condition.

The farm has also previously mourned much-loved animals, including Lottie, a giant Shire horse who died in 2022, and Herkules, a three-year-old stallion who died in 2025 after struggling with colic.

Such moments have helped create a close relationship between the farm and its followers, who have repeatedly shared in both the happy and painful parts of life there.

A COMMUNITY NOW RALLYING AROUND RUTH

For many Cannon Hall Farm followers, Ruth has spent years helping bring animals, farming and everyday life into their homes.

Now, the relationship has been reversed.

Supporters are sending messages, sharing the family’s fundraiser and contributing financially as Ruth, Dave and their two sons navigate an uncertain future.

The family has not publicly released extensive details about Dave’s prognosis beyond describing his illness as stage 4 terminal cancer and confirming that he is undergoing treatment.

Instead, much of Ruth’s public message has focused on gratitude toward the people standing beside her family.

FOCUSING ON TIME TOGETHER

The fundraising appeal was created with a simple purpose: to reduce some of the pressures surrounding the family and allow them to concentrate on one another.

With treatment continuing, Ruth and Dave are facing a future that no family would want to confront.

But the response from the Cannon Hall Farm community has shown just how many people are willing to stand beside them.

More than 1,000 people have already contributed to the fundraiser, while countless others have shared messages of support.

For a family that has spent years bringing moments of happiness to others through farming and their work with animals, supporters are now trying to return that kindness.

Ruth, Dave and their two sons are facing an extraordinarily difficult journey.

And for now, the message from the Cannon Hall Farm community is clear:

They are not facing it alone.