Carls, don't give up just yet!
There may yet be a way forward (although Christmas is fast approaching .. so perhaps for his birthday instead?).
There is a member of our community who flies a UK-based Bell 222 (the type of helicopter used in the TV series 'Airwolf') and there was even some talk a while back that the helicopter in question might be painted in the Airwolf colours. Moreover I am confident you could arrange a charter which would come in at less than the 2-3k mentioned above.
You may try and send him a private message
here.