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

Behind the familiar animals, cheerful farm videos and television appearances that have made Cannon Hall Farm a favourite with families across Britain, Farmer Ruth and her family are facing an incredibly difficult chapter.

Ruth’s husband, Dave, has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and is currently undergoing intensive treatment, according to a fundraising appeal established to support the family.

The news has prompted an overwhelming response from people who have followed Ruth through Cannon Hall Farm, its social-media channels and television appearances.

Ruth has now spoken publicly about the support her family has received — thanking the people who have sent messages, donated and stood beside them during an uncertain and deeply painful time.

“It’s been very humbling,” Ruth said while acknowledging the response.

But she also made clear that the family knows there is a difficult road ahead.

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

DAVE’S DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS

According to the family’s GoFundMe campaign, Dave was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and is receiving intensive treatment, including daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The fundraiser was launched on July 10, 2026, by Jacqui Tymon on behalf of Maryann Bestford.

It was created specifically to support Ruth, Dave and their two sons as they navigate the difficult months ahead.

The campaign explains that the money raised will allow the family to use the funds in whatever way helps them most, with the aim of easing some of the pressures surrounding the situation and allowing them to focus on spending time together and making memories.

The target was set at £24,000.

The latest available figure on the fundraiser showed £19,843 raised from 1,021 donations, although fundraising totals can change as new contributions are made.

RUTH THANKS THE COMMUNITY

For people who have followed Cannon Hall Farm over the years, Ruth is a familiar face.

The farm has built a large following by sharing everyday life on the farm, from caring for animals to special events and the personalities behind the scenes.

Cannon Hall Farm is also regularly featured on Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet, with recent episodes showing vets working with the farm’s animals. The farm itself describes the attraction as a regular location for the programme.

That connection has made the news about Dave particularly personal for many followers.

After the fundraising appeal was shared, supporters began sending messages and making donations.

Ruth has since thanked them for standing beside her family.

She described the response as “very humbling” and expressed gratitude to the people who had taken the time to reach out.

She has also thanked the medical teams caring for Dave, including specialists at The Christie in Manchester.

Rather than publicly discussing every detail of Dave’s medical condition, Ruth has largely focused on thanking those supporting the family.

“WE’LL CARRY ON”

Ruth’s words have offered a glimpse into the reality facing the family.

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

The short message captures the difficult balance between acknowledging the seriousness of Dave’s condition and continuing to move forward as a family.

The fundraising appeal says Ruth, Dave and their sons are facing an uncertain period and that supporters wanted to give them some practical help while they concentrate on each other.

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

For that reason, further details about his condition and treatment should remain private unless the family chooses to disclose them.

A COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND THE FAMILY

The response to the fundraising campaign has shown the strong connection between Cannon Hall Farm and the people who follow it.

The campaign’s organisers said the purpose was not simply to raise money, but to give people who know Ruth personally — or have come to know her through the farm — an opportunity to show their support.

They stressed that donations are not the only form of help.

Messages, shares and words of encouragement are also meaningful to the family.

The fundraiser says the hope is to ease some of the pressures surrounding Ruth and Dave and give them more freedom to concentrate on what matters most: being together, spending precious time as a family and making memories.

CANNON HALL FARM’S CONNECTION WITH THE YORKSHIRE VET

Cannon Hall Farm has become particularly familiar to viewers through its appearances on television.

The farm is the official host farm for Channel 5’s Springtime on the Farm and is regularly featured on The Yorkshire Vet.

Recent episodes have included emotional stories involving the farm’s Shire horses.

In September, The Yorkshire Vet followed veterinary work at Cannon Hall Farm involving two mares, Silver and Brooke, as the team explored whether they could continue the legacy of much-loved Shire stallion Herkules, who died after suffering from colic.

The farm has also recently hosted special events featuring members of The Yorkshire Vet team, further highlighting the close relationship between the farm and the programme.

But while audiences continue to see the animals and farming stories on screen, Ruth and her family are now dealing with a much more personal struggle away from the cameras.

THE FAMILY IS KEEPING PRIVATE DETAILS PRIVATE

The fundraising campaign provides information about Dave’s diagnosis and treatment, but the family has not publicly disclosed extensive details about his prognosis.

That privacy is important.

For Ruth, the focus appears to be on supporting her husband, caring for their children and making the most of the time they have together.

Her public messages have concentrated on gratitude rather than discussing the most private aspects of Dave’s illness.

The family has also been supported by friends, colleagues and the wider Cannon Hall Farm community.

MORE THAN £19,000 RAISED

The response to the GoFundMe campaign has been substantial.

At the latest available update, more than £19,800 had been raised toward the £24,000 target, with more than 1,000 people having donated.

For a family facing an uncertain future, the campaign is intended to provide more than financial assistance.

It represents a visible reminder that the people who have watched, visited and supported Cannon Hall Farm over the years have not forgotten the family behind it.

Every donation, message and share has become another expression of support for Ruth, Dave and their sons.

“IT’S BEEN VERY HUMBLING”

Ruth has spent years sharing the lighter side of farm life with the public.

Now, she has allowed followers a glimpse of a much more difficult part of her life.

Her words have remained simple.

She has thanked people for their kindness.

She has thanked those caring for Dave.

And she has acknowledged that the family has a much bigger challenge ahead.

But she has also made clear that they intend to keep going.

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

For Ruth, Dave and their two sons, the coming period will be about treatment, family and taking each day as it comes.

And for the community that has followed Cannon Hall Farm for years, the message from the family has prompted an outpouring of support at a time when they need it most.

Behind the animals, television appearances and familiar farm scenes is a family now facing an extraordinarily difficult journey together.

For now, Ruth’s message is simple: they will carry on.