Veteran actress Helen Mirren donates red bikini to charity

Veteran actress Helen Mirren is donating her iconic red bikini to raise money to keep Britain`s elderly warm this winter.

The `Queen` star made a splash when she was photographed in the two-piece while on vacation in 2008 and the pictures were published around the world.

Now the 66-year-old actress has handed over her beloved swimsuit to raise cash for Age UK`s Spread the Warmth campaign, which provides thousands of older people with food packages, blankets and heaters.

"I`m saying farewell to it a little bit regretfully but hopefully it will go to someone who will fill it with as much aplomb as maybe I did... It happens to be one of the best bikinis in the world because it fits!

"I would love it to raise money for an organization that I support called Age UK. I love the idea of this little flimsy summer thing going towards helping old people stay warm and comfortable and toasty in the wintertime. Age UK is a wonderful organisation so I`m hoping that they can raise money with it," said the Oscar-winning actress.