IN times of difficulty, it is very easy to throw up your hands in horror and grumble.

But this week we carry two very different articles about fighting back against adversity.

One details the inspiring story of Skipton woman Ann Greene, who is taking part in a sponsored moonlight walk despite suffering from throat cancer.

She was diagnosed at Christmas and has just spent three months in hospital, undergoing gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Even though, by her own admission, her prognosis is not good, she will line up at the start line of Skipton's second Moonlight Walk tomorrow, with the aim of raising £1,000 for the Skipton office of Yorkshire Cancer Support.

She says the centre has been a great support to her and her family, and now she is keen to help them with fundraising and awareness "for just as long as I can".

She hopes her story will inspire people to dig deep into their pockets, and we can only echo her sentiments, as the charity does amazing work, providing face-to-face support services to cancer patients, carers, families and the bereaved.

Our other tale is about the terrible flooding in Skipton's twin town of Simbach am Inn, and the response of Craven people.

Floods swept through the Bavarian town last week, killing four people, destroying houses and livelihoods and damaging roads and bridges. More than 250 students were trapped in their school.

Within hours, former Ermysted's Grammar School pupil Matthew Harrison, who visited Simbach on a student exchange, had set up a Crowdfunding website to help the flood victims.

He wanted to show that the relationship between the two towns extended beyond the pomp of mayoral visits.

And his efforts have already begun to pay off. Not only has he raised £850, but he has received a website message from Nico Zaja, who works at Simbach's Staatliche Realschule, stating: "We feel honoured to have Skipton as a partner town."

It is good to know that, in this ever-changing world, compassion still exists.