When I think of 1980s America, one of the first things I think of is Hands Across America.

On May 25th 1986 almost seven million people joined hands with each other in an attempt to form a single unbroken chain stretching accross the entire United States of America, from New York in the east, to Long Beach, California in the west. A lot of famous people took part in Hands Across America, Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, and Bill Clinton included - and while there were some breaks in the chain, it still managed to raise approximately $34 million, and then a further $800 million in aid from the Government, all towards the aim of fighting hunger and homelessness.

However, despite all this money raised, it was largely regarded as unsuccessful in achieving what it was supposed to. Even months after the money had been raised, for many homeless people in America, it was as if it had never happened. The USA for Africa Foundation - the company that staged the event - first decided to pay off approximately $17 million in expenses out of the money raised.