“WE’VE GOT A BIGGER CHALLENGE GOING FORWARD” — CANNON HALL FARM’S FARMER RUTH SPEAKS OUT AS HUSBAND DAVE BATTLES TERMINAL CANCER

Farmer Ruth from Cannon Hall Farm has spoken publicly about the devastating period her family is facing after her husband, Dave, was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

Ruth, who is well known to followers of the South Yorkshire farm through its animals, social-media presence and television appearances, recently thanked the thousands of people who have sent messages of support and contributed to a fundraising campaign for her family.

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

The couple have two sons and are now facing an uncertain period while Dave continues treatment.

“IT’S BEEN VERY HUMBLING”

In a recent social-media message, Ruth acknowledged the enormous response from people who have followed her family’s story.

She thanked supporters for their kindness, messages and donations, saying the reaction had been deeply moving.

“It’s been very humbling,” Ruth said.

But while expressing her gratitude, she 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 said.

Ruth also expressed her appreciation for the medical staff caring for Dave, including specialists at The Christie in Manchester.

DAVE’S DIAGNOSIS

The family’s situation became public after a fundraising campaign was launched on July 10, 2026, by Jacqui Tymon on behalf of Maryann Bestford.

The appeal explains that Dave has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and is receiving intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Rather than being established for a specific medical expense, the fundraiser is intended to provide practical support for Ruth, Dave and their two children during an exceptionally difficult period.

Organisers said the money could be used by the family in whatever way would help them most in the months ahead, with the aim of allowing them to focus on being together and making memories.

The original target was £24,000.

The latest fundraising page shows £19,843 raised from 1,021 donations, meaning supporters have contributed more than four-fifths of the target.

A COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND THE FAMILY

For many people, Ruth is a familiar face from Cannon Hall Farm.

She has become closely associated with the farm’s animals and its online community, where visitors and followers have watched her work over the years.

News of Dave’s illness prompted an immediate response from that community.

Messages of support began appearing alongside donations, with people wishing Dave well and offering encouragement to Ruth and their two sons.

The fundraiser describes Ruth as a special part of the Cannon Hall Farm family and says supporters wanted to find a practical way to show that they were standing behind her family.

Organisers stressed that there was no expectation for anyone to donate more than they could afford.

They said that every donation, share and message of support would mean something to the family.

THE FAMILY HAS KEPT MUCH OF DAVE’S CONDITION PRIVATE

Although the diagnosis and treatment have been made public, Ruth and her family have not released extensive details about Dave’s prognosis or medical condition.

The fundraising appeal confirms that he has stage 4 terminal cancer and is receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Ruth’s own public comments have largely focused on gratitude toward the people supporting the family rather than providing further medical details.

Her mention of The Christie also highlighted the specialist care Dave has been receiving in Manchester.

MORE THAN £19,000 RAISED

The fundraising response has demonstrated the size of the community surrounding Cannon Hall Farm.

More than 1,000 people had donated to the appeal by the latest update, bringing the total close to £20,000.

The money is intended to help reduce some of the pressures facing the family as they concentrate on Dave’s treatment and on spending time together.

The organisers said their hope was to give Ruth and Dave more freedom to focus on what matters most during the months ahead.

“WE’LL CARRY ON”

For Ruth, the road ahead remains uncertain.

Her latest message did not offer false reassurance or attempt to hide the seriousness of Dave’s diagnosis.

Instead, she thanked those who had stood beside her family and acknowledged that they were facing a much bigger challenge.

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

Those words capture the family’s focus at this point: continuing with Dave’s treatment, supporting one another and making the most of their time together.

For the people who have followed Ruth through Cannon Hall Farm, the family’s story has become deeply personal.

And as Dave continues his treatment, Ruth has made clear that the kindness shown by supporters has not gone unnoticed.

For now, the family is taking things one day at a time — surrounded by their children, loved ones and a community determined to stand beside them.