AN Abergavenny couple whose holiday of a lifetime in America was cut short when the wife was knocked down on a pedestrian crossing are jetting off at the end of the month to complete the trip.

Gary and Adeline Bevan who live in Plas Derwen and run the Mardy Stores and the Old General Store in Abergavenny, were on their first holiday for seven years when the near-fatal accident happened.

They had been to a wedding in New York and were on their first day in Memphis where they planned to visit Elvis Presley's home when Gary witnessed a big truck ploughing into his wife as they crossed the road near Presley's home at Gracelands.

Since the accident on September 24, 2007, Adeline has spent weeks in hospital in Memphis and Abergavenny undergoing 17 operations to repair the damage to her broken arm, torn spleen, broken shoulder, knee, face and lung which was punctured when four of her ribs were fractured.

Gary said: "Adeline had two brain haemorrhages as well as her numerous other injuries so she spent 40 days in one of the three busiest trauma centres in America, and for the first 26 she was in a coma.

"Even when she came home she was not out of the woods because she received further treatment for her injuries and underwent more operations in Nevill Hall Hospital."

With the help of family, friends, staff and customers at their two shops, Gary organised many fund raising events including an evening at the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny the following year, starring Abergavenny's own Elvis, Keith Davies, which raised more than £3,000.

The final total of all their fundraising is expected to be around £8,000. Gary and Adeline now plan to present $6,000 dollars to the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Centre where staff saved her life and their names will be immortalised on the donor wall of honour. The rest of the money is to go to Ward 3/1 and Gilwern ward at Nevill Hall Hospital.

In recognition of the trauma they suffered they have been given the best suite at the Heartbreak Hotel when they start their holiday on April 29, and after presenting the money the following day they will have a VIP tour of Gracelands, visit Sun Studios and dine at Rumboogie in Beale Street, Memphis.

They will then visit Las Vegas where they will take in two shows and fly down the Grand Canyon for a sunset picnic.

Staff at the Abergavenny travel agency who booked their holiday have arranged the best suite in Caesar's Palace.

Adeline said: "This return visit will bring closure for me because I can't remember anything about our first trip. It will be hard for Gary to revisit the hospital."

Gary said it will be nice to complete their holiday of a lifetime which was arranged to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.

•Gary and Adeline Bevan pictured at home this week.