The King of Rock 'n' Roll will be remembered with a special gig in Hazlemere in aid of charity next week.

Lifelong Elvis Presley fan, Billy Gallacher, will be donning his costume for the 26th year in a row to perform his gig ‘Elvis, The King Remembered’ at Hazlemere Community Centre in aid of Scannappeal.

The charity raises money to buy life-saving equipment for Amersham, Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Community Hospitals.

70-year-old Billy and his band, The Bonquas, have raised over £40,000 for the healthcare charity with their annual gigs, which usually mark the anniversary of Elvis’ death.

The performer, who has a whole room full of Elvis memorabilia in his Downley home, says his love of the American singer’s music stems from childhood.

He said: “I was the right age when he came around in 1956. I was about 11 and I had heard of this man Elvis Presley, who was causing all this rumpus.

“When I heard him sing, that was it really. He just blew everyone else out of the water.”

And while he didn’t manage to meet the man himself, Billy has managed to fulfil some of dreams by meeting Elvis’ wife Priscilla as well as Sam Phillips, the man who discovered the star.

He said: “I have been to Graceland a few times and I have met Priscilla Presley a few times. It was a privilege to meet Priscilla and Sam.”

Billy has now been singing for over 40 years and while he sings all of Elvis’ best loved songs, he doesn’t see himself as an impersonator.

He said: “There are some people out there who can’t stand people who dress up like him and sing like him.

“I sing his songs but I don't try and be Elvis like other impersonators do. I just like his songs and enjoy getting up on stage and singing them to people.

"There are some songs in there that are 30 or 40 years old and some that are more recent. There's something for everyone to enjoy.”

Billy and The Bonquas will be performing at Hazlemere Community Centre, Rose Avenue, on August 14 at 8pm.

Tickets are £12.50, available from Scannappeal or Billy Gallacher on 01494 439912.