MORE THAN 1,150 PEOPLE RALLY AROUND CANNON HALL FARM’S FARMER RUTH AS HUSBAND FACES STAGE 4 CANCER

An online fundraiser for Farmer Ruth Burgess and her family has reached £22,368, bringing them closer to their £24,000 goal as her husband, Dave, undergoes intensive treatment.

An extraordinary wave of kindness is surrounding Cannon Hall Farm favourite Farmer Ruth as her family faces an incredibly difficult time following her husband’s cancer diagnosis.

The fundraising campaign established to support Ruth, her husband Dave and their two sons has now raised £22,368 from 1,159 donations.

The total is approaching the campaign’s £24,000 target, with supporters contributing from across the country to help ease some of the pressures facing the family.

For Ruth, the response has meant far more than the money raised.

A DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS

The family’s situation became public in July 2026, when a GoFundMe appeal revealed that Dave had been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

According to the fundraising page, he is undergoing intensive treatment, including daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The appeal explained that Ruth, Dave and their two sons were facing an uncertain future and that the money raised would help with whatever the family needed most in the months ahead.

The organisers hoped the support would allow them to concentrate on treatment, spending precious time together and making memories as a family.

“IT’S BEEN VERY HUMBLING”

As news of Dave’s diagnosis spread, people who had come to know Ruth through Cannon Hall Farm began sending donations, messages and words of encouragement.

Ruth has expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming kindness shown to her family.

Describing the response, she said:

“It’s been very humbling.”

She also acknowledged that the road ahead would not be easy, adding:

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

Her words have resonated with supporters who have followed her through farm updates, television appearances and visits to the popular South Yorkshire attraction.

1,159 DONATIONS — ONE COMMUNITY STANDING TOGETHER

The campaign, titled Supporting Farmer Ruth and her family, was organised by Jacqui Tymon on behalf of Maryann Bestford.

Its original target was £24,000.

With £22,368 raised, the fundraiser is now just £1,632 short of that goal.

The organisers have emphasised that nobody should feel pressured to donate more than they can afford. Every contribution, share and supportive message is appreciated.

For many supporters, the campaign is an opportunity to give something back to a family they have come to know and care about over the years.

A FAMILY TAKING EACH DAY AS IT COMES

Ruth has become a familiar face to thousands of people who follow life at Cannon Hall Farm.

But away from the animals and everyday farm activities, she and her family are navigating a deeply personal challenge.

The family has not shared extensive further medical details about Dave’s condition, and the focus of Ruth’s public messages has been on gratitude for the people standing beside them.

As Dave continues treatment, the family is concentrating on supporting one another and spending time together.

The donations cannot take away the uncertainty they are facing, but they have provided practical help and shown just how many people are thinking of them.

For now, Ruth’s message remains one of determination:

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

And with more than 1,150 people already contributing, the Cannon Hall Farm community is continuing to show that Ruth, Dave and their boys are not facing this difficult chapter alone.