CANNON HALL FARM: RUTH BURGESS 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.

Ruth and Dave have two sons, and the family is now trying to navigate an uncertain future while concentrating on treatment and spending precious time together.

“IT’S BEEN VERY HUMBLING”

In an emotional message to supporters, Ruth thanked the people who had reached out to her family following Dave’s diagnosis.

She became visibly emotional while speaking about the response and described the support as “very humbling.”

Ruth also acknowledged 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.

For Ruth, the messages from supporters have provided an important source of comfort during an extraordinarily difficult time.

DAVE IS UNDERGOING INTENSIVE TREATMENT

According to the family’s fundraising appeal, Dave has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and is undergoing intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The appeal says the treatment has placed the family in an extremely challenging period as they balance medical care with family life.

Beyond those details, Ruth and her family have kept much of Dave’s medical situation private.

No detailed prognosis has been publicly provided beyond the description of his cancer as stage 4 and terminal.

That means many aspects of his condition and treatment remain known only to the family and his medical team.

A FUNDRAISER LAUNCHED FOR THE FAMILY

A fundraising campaign was launched in July 2026 to support Ruth, Dave and their two sons.

The campaign has a target of £24,000, with the money intended to ease some of the practical pressures facing the family while they concentrate on Dave’s treatment and spending time together.

The latest available figures show £19,843 raised from 1,021 donations, putting the campaign more than 80% of the way toward its target.

The organisers have emphasised that support does not have to come in the form of a large donation.

Sharing the appeal or sending a message of encouragement can also help the family feel supported.

A COMMUNITY THAT KNOWS RUTH

Ruth has become a familiar face to people who follow Cannon Hall Farm through its social-media channels and television appearances.

The South Yorkshire farm is known for its animals, farming activities and family-focused visitor experience. Its official website continues to feature regular events and updates from the farm team.

Farmer Dave has also appeared in the farm’s online videos, including content featuring the farm’s Shire horses and other animals.

That long-standing connection has meant that the news about Dave’s illness has resonated deeply with many followers.

People who have watched Ruth and the farm team share everyday moments are now sending messages of support during one of the family’s hardest periods.

SUPPORT HAS POURED IN

Following Ruth’s emotional update, supporters responded with messages of love, strength and encouragement.

The response reflects the relationship the Cannon Hall Farm team has developed with its wider audience over many years.

For some followers, Ruth is a familiar face they have seen caring for animals and sharing life on the farm.

Now, many of those same people are trying to support her family in return.

The fundraising campaign has provided one way for the community to do that, while messages and personal words of encouragement have offered another.

THE FAMILY HAS CHOSEN TO KEEP MANY DETAILS PRIVATE

Despite the public fundraising appeal, Ruth has not shared extensive information about Dave’s prognosis.

Her public messages have instead focused largely on gratitude toward the people supporting the family.

That privacy means there is currently no reliable public information about how Dave is responding to treatment beyond the fact that he is receiving intensive care.

The family’s decision to keep those details private has been respected while supporters continue to rally around them.

A DIFFICULT YEAR AT CANNON HALL FARM

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

The farm has also faced difficult moments involving its much-loved animals.

In June, the farm shared an online broadcast celebrating the return of five Shire horse foals after two of them experienced serious complications and required specialist hospital treatment.

The farm has continued its normal programme of events despite the challenges, including a Falconry Weekend held on September 26 and 27.

For the wider team and its followers, the farm therefore remains a place where difficult moments and joyful moments are often shared with the public.

“WE’LL CARRY ON”

For Ruth, however, the focus is now firmly on her family.

Dave continues to receive intensive treatment, while Ruth and their two sons face an uncertain period together.

Her words — “we’ll carry on” — capture the determination behind her latest message.

She has not suggested that the road ahead will be easy.

Instead, she has thanked those who have supported the family and acknowledged how much their kindness has meant.

The fundraising campaign continues to move toward its £24,000 goal, while supporters continue to send messages to Ruth, Dave and their children.

THE ROAD AHEAD

There is still no detailed public update on Dave’s prognosis, and the family has chosen to keep many aspects of his condition private.

What is clear is that Ruth, Dave and their two sons are facing an extraordinarily difficult chapter.

For years, the Cannon Hall Farm team has welcomed visitors, shared farming life and brought audiences closer to the animals and people behind the attraction.

Now, the community that has followed Ruth’s story is standing behind her.

As Dave continues his treatment, Ruth’s message remains simple:

“We’ll carry on.”

And for a family facing an uncertain future, that may be the most important message of all.